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Replies: 20
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Oculus Spirit [90715]
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Met the great 50's player George "POGO" Usry at lot 6..
Oct 21, 2015, 9:40 PM
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during Homecoming/BC game..and he is still sharp & active at approx.78 yrs old.
For those who don't know about him..he played for Frank Howard, was a RB, Flanker & Dback (since they were in the Platoon system).
Told me he played in the last BiG Thursday game in 1959 (my 1st) which Tigers won handily with two QB's in Harvey White & Lowndes Shingler..and some great RB's..and Lou Cordilene on the O line.
And, believe he said he played in 3 or 4 bowl games. Look him up and enjoy knowing about a neat Tiger.
GoTiGERS!
Message was edited by: lightbulbbill®
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Orange Blooded [3257]
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I thought his last name was Ushery(sp).***
Oct 21, 2015, 9:49 PM
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110%er [6650]
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yep, "usery" or something like that - his nickname was Pogo!***
Oct 21, 2015, 9:54 PM
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Oculus Spirit [90715]
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All-Conference [436]
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Orange Blooded [4504]
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Correct.***
Oct 21, 2015, 10:24 PM
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All-TigerNet [11934]
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They called him "Pogo" after the comic strip character because
Oct 21, 2015, 10:58 PM
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he came from Waycross, Georgia, a little town near the Okefenokee Swamp.
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CU Guru [1022]
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Re: Waycross
Oct 21, 2015, 11:59 PM
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Btw, Burt Reynolds, Pernell Roberts, & Gram Parsons were also from Waycross. Ossie Davis was from nearby.
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CU Guru [1022]
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Re: Waycross
Oct 22, 2015, 12:07 AM
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And Les Herrin.
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CU Guru [1022]
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Re: George "Pogo" Usry lettered 57-59
Oct 21, 2015, 11:53 PM
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The Tigers were ACC Champs in 58 & 59 (1958 8-3 5-1 Ranking 12,13 - 1959 ACC 9-2 6-1 Ranking 11,11)
His bowl games were the 1958 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans LA vs LSU (1,1) L 0-7 in which LSU won their 1st NC by beating Clemson with a couple of minutes left with a Billy Cannon halfback pass. Also the 1959 Bluebonnet Bowl in Houston, TX vs TCU (7,8) W 23-7.
Pogo led Clemson in receptions in 1958 from his RB slot. He led the 59 team in interceptions as a DB. His senior class had a 19-5-1 record in the ACC - still in the top 10. Also, the win vs TCU is still one of our top 10 wins over ranked teams. The 59 team also beat NC, which was ranked #12 (AP). As I recall, freshman ball was still around & so all records are for 3 years. I believe most players still played both ways. I remember Pogo as a really good all around player but mostly as a RB.
He picked up the nickname of "Pogo" because of a popular cartoon character of the time named Pogo who resided in the Okefenokee Swamp. George Usry was from Waycross so someone made the connection (probably Coach Howard). There is a Pogo musuem at the Waycross entrance to the swamp.
My original neighborhood is only twenty miles from Waycross so I was much interested in another swamp boy who wound up in the S.C. upstate.
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110%er [6650]
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Yea, freshman ball was around until at least 1962 - a rule
Oct 22, 2015, 2:15 AM
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prevented any freshman from playing varsity (same with basketball). They had their own games fairly well attended. My Bro. played freshman guard in 1961/62, a walk-on as were most, he made it all the way to 3rd team, as there were 8 teams (quantity instead of quality)coached by outstanding Whitey Jordan. Dr. Bill Hunter was an excellent volunteer line coach. The first 3 freshman teams were invited to play with the varsity. My brother was excited to be joining the varsity, but had a terrible accident that summer which unfortunately prevented that...
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Oculus Spirit [90715]
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it went over my head but POGO mentioned the Jr Varsity days..
Oct 22, 2015, 8:18 AM
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Where they played only 5 games.. So the reason he didn't play with the BiG Boys "until" his last three years.
GoTiGERS.. Keep ROCKing!
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CU Medallion [53716]
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Y'all wont believe this, but one of Spud's best friends is
Oct 22, 2015, 12:02 AM
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George Usry. He lives in Powdersville and we fish together all the time........He did not play for Clemson though..........
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CU Guru [1898]
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In the Sugar Bowl against # 1 LSU and the great
Oct 22, 2015, 12:37 AM
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Billy Cannon, I believe George was given the ball near the LSU goal line and could not score. Tough loss 7-0.
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110%er [6650]
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Yea, I remember him as shifty but too small to be power rb***
Oct 22, 2015, 2:02 AM
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All-In [35206]
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THAT is awesome Bill ! I'd LOVE to get an interview with him
Oct 22, 2015, 12:58 AM
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Ah yes, the 5-10 180 pounder from Waycross, GA. From the research and files I have, it is my understanding that he was an all-purpose type of back but not what most football fans now-a-days would consider an APB. As the game was much different back then; and indeed I've certainly found out through these interactions. Even far greater than the option type offense I was accustomed to from Clemson growing up.
LbB, these folks won our initial big bowl, the Blue Bonnet Bowl, and I'm actively trying to interview as many as I can for the 'project' for which you are aware I am undertaking. TMail me if perhaps you could help me contact him.
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Orange Blooded [4505]
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There were still "Freshman" teams in 1974. My son played
Oct 22, 2015, 9:21 AM
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on the Clemson team. I think freshmen could play varsity ball, but there was also freshman ball.
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Orange Blooded [3456]
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My dad backed up Cordileone on the '59 Sugar Bowl team
Oct 22, 2015, 10:29 AM
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and Usry's son Greg was in my frat. First time I met him and heard his last name I said "Oh your dad..." I was going to say "played with my dad" but he said "dropped two touchdown passes in the Sugar Bowl." George was a helluva baller though.
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Oculus Spirit [90715]
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"sugarB0WL"..are you saying POGO dropped 2 potential TD passes in end zone?!
Oct 22, 2015, 11:10 AM
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...Against #1 ranked LSU's vaulted "Black Shirt Chinese Bandit's" D.
What say you?
LOL & GoTiGERS!
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CU Guru [1022]
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Re: "sugarB0WL"..are you saying POGO dropped 2 potential TD passes in end zone?!
Oct 22, 2015, 5:55 PM
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As I recall, we never got anywhere near the endzone. Don't think LSU did either until the halfback pass. It was a defensive struggle. The "big play" for Clemson was a center snap that went over our kicker's head for what I believe was a world record distance - something like 42 yards. Don't remember Pogo dropping anything but will have to check the game details.
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110%er [6650]
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Agree:"As I recall, we never got anywhere near the endzone."
Oct 22, 2015, 6:04 PM
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Bill Mathis?
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