The 1980 San Francisco 49ers seasonNational Football League , and 35th overall. This was both Bill Walsh 's and Joe Montana's second season with the team. The 49ers looked to improve on their previous output of 2–14 (which they had earned in both of the two previous seasons). They failed to make the playoffs for the eighth consecutive season, but they did improve to 6–10.[ 1]
On December 7, 1980, the 49ers staged one of the greatest come from behind victories in the history of the NFL's regular season. The 49ers rallied from 28 points down at halftime to defeat the winless New Orleans Saints by a score of 38–35.[ 2] [ 3]
Personnel [ ] Staff / Coaches [ ]
1980 San Francisco 49ers final staff
Front Office
Head Coaches
Offensive Coaches
Quarterbacks – Sam Wyche
Running Backs – Billie Matthews
Receivers – Milt Jackson
Tight Ends – Bruce Coslet
Offensive Line – Bobb McKittrick
Defensive Coaches
Defensive Coordinator – Chuck Studley
Defensive Line – Bill McPherson
Linebackers – Norb Hecker
Defensive Backs – George Seifert Special Teams Coaches
Special Teams – Milt Jackson Strength and Conditioning
Strength and Conditioning – Al Vermeil
Roster [ ]
1980 San Francisco 49ers roster
Quarterbacks
Running backs
Wide receivers
Tight ends
Offensive linemen
Defensive linemen
Linebackers
57 Dan Bunz MLB55 Scott Hilton OLB59 Willie Harper OLB52 Bobby Leopold 54 Craig Puki 53 Tom Seabron OLB50 Terry Tautolo ILB58 Keena Turner Defensive backs
33 Ricky Churchman 28 Charles Cornelius CB22 Dwight Hicks FS44 Charles Johnson CB46 Melvin Morgan CB32 Scott Perry FS26 Ray Rhodes CB29 Gerald Williams CBSpecial teams
Reserve lists
48 Phil Francis FB (IR) 23 Herb Williams (IR) Practice/Taxi Squad
Rookies in italics
Draft [ ] Preseason [ ] Regular Season [ ] Schedule [ ]
Week
Date
Opponent
Result
Record
Att.
Location
1
September 7
at New Orleans
W 26-23
1-0
58,621
Superdome
2
September 14
St. Louis
W 24-21 (OT)
2-0
49,999
Candlestick Park
3
September 21
at NY Jets
W 37-27
3-0
50,608
Shea Stadium
4
September 28
Atlanta
L 20-17
3-1
56,518
Candlestick Park
5
October 5
at Los Angeles
L 48-26
3-2
55,360
Anaheim Stadium
6
October 12
at Dallas
L 59-14
3-3
63,399
Texas Stadium
7
October 19
Los Angeles
L 31-17
3-4
55,360
Candlestick Park
8
October 26
Tampa Bay
L 24-23
3-5
51,925
Candlestick Park
9
November 2
at Detroit
L 17-13
3-6
78,845
Pontiac Silverdome
10
November 9
at Green Bay
L 23-16
3-7
54,475
Milwaukee Cty. St.
11
November 16
at Miami
L 17-13
3-8
45,135
Miami Orange Bowl
12
November 23
NY Giants
W 12-0
4-8
38,574
Candlestick Park
13
November 30
New England
W 21-17
5-8
45,254
Candlestick Park
14
December 7
New Orleans
W 38-35 (OT)
6-8
37,949
Candlestick Park
15
December 14
at Atlanta
L 35-10
6-9
55,767
Atlanta Stadium
16
December 21
Buffalo
L 18-13
6-10
37,476
Candlestick Park
Game Summaries [ ] Week 1: at New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 1: San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
14
6
6
26
Saints
0
7
6
10
23
at Louisiana Superdome , New Orleans, Louisiana
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NO – Tony Galbreath 1 yard rush, (Russell Erxleben kick), Saints 7-0.
SF – Earl Cooper 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 7-7.
SF – Earl Cooper 6 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 37 yard field goal, 49ers 23-13.
NO – Wes Chandler 49 yard pass from Archie Manning , (Russell Erxleben kick), 49ers 23-20.
NO – Russell Erxleben 37 yard field goal, Tied 23-23.
SF – Ray Wersching 38 yard field goal, 49ers 26-23. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
SF – Paul Hofer - 7 receptions, 114 yards, TD
NO – Larry Hardy - 6 receptions, 103 yards
Week 2: vs. St. Louis Cardinals [ ]
Week 2: St. Louis Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
OT
Total
Cardinals
0
0
14
7
0
21
49ers
0
7
0
14
3
24
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
STL – Theotis Brown 13 yard pass from Jim Hart , (Steve Little kick), Tied 7-7.
STL – Doug Marsh 13 yard pass from Jim Hart, (Steve Little kick), Cardinals 14-7. Fourth quarter
SF – Earl Cooper 9 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 14-14.
STL – Willard Harrell 1 yard rush, (Steve Little kick), Cardinals 21-14.
SF – Paul Hofer 26 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 21-21. Overtime
SF – Ray Wersching 33 yard field goal, 49ers 24-21. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
STL – Doug Marsh - 7 receptions, 90 yards, TD
SF – Paul Hofer - 9 receptions, 135 yards, TD
Week 3: at New York Jets [ ]
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
14
10
6
7
37
Jets
0
3
3
21
27
at Meadowlands , East Rutherford, New Jersey
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Dwight Clark 20 yard pass from Joe Montana, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 21-0.
SF – Ray Wersching 25 yard field goal, 49ers 24-0.
NYJ – Pat Leahy 49 yard field goal, 49ers 24-3. Third quarter
NYJ – Pat Leahy 35 yard field goal, 49ers 24-6.
SF – Dwight Clark 7 yard pass from Joe Montana, (kick failed), 49ers 30-6. Fourth quarter
NYJ – Derrick Gaffney 15 yard pass from Richard Todd , (Pat Leahy kick), 49ers 30-13.
SF – Freddie Solomon 32 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 37-13.
NYJ – Bruce Harper 9 yard pass from Richard Todd, (Pat Leahy kick), 49ers 37-20.
NYJ – Paul Darby 13 yard pass from Richard Todd, (Pat Leahy kick), 49ers 37-27. Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 17/23, 181 yards, 2 TDs
NYJ – Richard Todd – 42/60, 447 yards, 3 TDs, INT Top rushers
SF – Earl Cooper - 13 rushes, 71 yards
NYJ – Clark Gaines – 5 rushes, 20 yards Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 7 receptions, 70 yards
NYJ – Clark Gaines - 17 receptions, 160 yards
Week 4: vs. Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 4: Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Falcons
3
0
3
14
20
49ers
0
3
0
14
17
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
ATL – Tim Mazzetti 40 yard field goal, Falcons 3-0. Second quarter
Third quarter
ATL – Tim Mazzetti 23 yard field goal, Falcons 6-3. Fourth quarter
ATL – Alfred Jackson 10 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski , (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 13-3.
ATL – Lynn Cain 2 yard rush, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 20-3.
SF – Earl Cooper 9 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Falcons 20-10.
SF – Earl Cooper 27 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), Falcons 20-17. Top passers
Top rushers
ATL – William Andrews - 20 rushes, 98 yards
SF – Paul Hofer – 14 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
ATL – Alfred Jenkins - 4 receptions, 40 yards
SF – Freddie Solomon - 5 receptions, 132 yards, TD
Week 5: at Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 5: San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
14
6
6
26
Rams
17
17
7
7
48
at Anaheim Stadium , Anaheim, California
Game information
First quarter
LA – Cullen Bryant 20 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo , (Frank Corral kick), Rams 7-0.
LA – Frank Corral 28 yard field goal, Rams 10-0.
LA – Jim Youngblood 33 yard interception return, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 17-0. Second quarter
LA – Frank Corral 35 yard field goal, Rams 20-0.
SF – Dwight Clark 14 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 20-7.
LA – Willie Miller 35 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 27-7.
LA – Nolan Cromwell 24 yard interception return, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 34-7.
SF – Earl Cooper 1 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 34-14. Third quarter
SF – Dwight Clark 5 yard pass from Joe Montana , (kick failed), Rams 34-20.
LA – Elvis Peacock 35 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 41-20. Fourth quarter
SF – Freddie Solomon 38 yard pass from Joe Montana, (kick failed), Rams 41-26.
LA – Willie Miller 8 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 48-26. Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Paul Hofer - 9 rushes, 34 yards
LA – Elvis Peacock – 18 rushes, 114 yards Top receivers
SF – Paul Hofer - 9 receptions, 91 yards
LA – Cullen Bryant - 6 receptions, 78 yards, TD
Week 6: at Dallas Cowboys [ ]
Week 6: San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
0
7
0
7
14
Cowboys
14
24
14
7
59
at Texas Stadium , Irving, Texas
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DAL – Rafael Septien 26 yard field goal, Cowboys 17-0.
DAL – Drew Pearson 16 yard pass from Danny White, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 24-0.
SF – Dwight Clark 52 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), Cowboys 24-7.
DAL – Tony Dorsett 2 yard rush, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 31-7.
DAL – Drew Pearson 17 yard pass from Danny White, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 38-7. Third quarter
DAL – Billy Joe DuPree 9 yard pass from Danny White, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 45-7.
DAL – Ron Springs 20 yard rush, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 52-7. Fourth quarter
DAL – Robert Newhouse 3 yard rush, (Rafael Septien kick), Cowboys 59-7.
SF – Dwight Clark 19 yard pass from Steve DeBerg, (Ray Wersching kick), Cowboys 59-14. Top passers
Top rushers
Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 8 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TDs
DAL – Jay Saldi - 3 receptions, 77 yards
Week 7: vs. Los Angeles Rams [ ]
Week 7: Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Rams
0
14
10
7
31
49ers
0
3
0
14
17
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 39 yard field goal, 49ers 3-0.
LA – Cullen Bryant 17 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo , (Frank Corral kick), Rams 7-3.
LA – Drew Hill 24 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 14-3. Third quarter
LA – Frank Corral 47 yard field goal, Rams 17-3.
LA – Willie Miller 13 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 24-3. Fourth quarter
SF – Charle Young ]] 2 yard pass from Joe Montana , (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 24-10.
LA – Preston Dennard 40 yard pass from Vince Ferragamo, (Frank Corral kick), Rams 31-10.
SF – Freddie Solomon 3 yard pass from Joe Montana, (Ray Wersching kick), Rams 31-17. Top passers
Top rushers
LA – Cullen Bryant - 15 rushes, 68 yards
SF – Earl Cooper – 14 rushes, 57 yards Top receivers
LA – Willie Miller - 3 receptions, 61 yards, TD
SF – Earl Cooper - 8 receptions, 73 yards
Week 8: vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers [ ]
Week 8: Tampa Bay Buccaneers at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Buccaneers
7
0
14
3
24
49ers
7
6
7
3
23
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 38 yard field goal, 49ers 10-7.
SF – Ray Wersching 40 yard field goal, 49ers 13-7. Third quarter
TB – Jerry Eckwood 35 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Bucs 14-13.
SF – Lenvil Elliott 45 yard pass from Joe Montana , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 20-14.
TB – Doug Williams 2 yard rush, (Garo Yepremian kick), Bucs 21-20. Fourth quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 18 yard field goal, 49ers 23-21.
TB – Garo Yepremian 30 yard field goal, Bucs 24-23. Top passers
TB – Doug Williams – 10/18, 89 yards, INT
SF – Joe Montana – 24/31, 200 yards, TD, INT Top rushers
TB – Jerry Eckwood - 14 rushes, 79 yards, 2 TDs
SF – Earl Cooper – 13 rushes, 50 yards Top receivers
TB – Ricky Bell - 5 receptions, 49 yards
SF – Lenvil Elliott - 5 receptions, 74 yards, TD
Week 9: at Detroit Lions [ ]
Week 9: San Francisco 49ers at Detroit Lions;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
DET – Eddie Murray 32 yard field goal, Lions 10-7. Third quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 36 yard field goal, Tied 10-10. Fourth quarter
SF – Ray Wersching 39 yard field goal, 49ers 13-10.
DET – Gary Danielson 8 yard rush, (Eddie Murray kick), Lions 17-13. Top passers
Top rushers
SF – Don Woods - 10 rushes, 49 yards
DET – Dexter Bussey – 9 rushes, 74 yards Top receivers
SF – Don Woods - 4 receptions, 59 yards
DET – Billy Sims - 11 receptions, 96 yards, TD
Week 10: at Green Bay Packers [ ]
Week 10: San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
GB – Tom Birney 50 yard field goal, 49ers 13-3.
GB – Terdell Middleton 1 yard rush, (Tom Birney kick), 49ers 13-10.
GB – Tom Birney 50 yard field goal, Tied 13-13. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
GB – Gerry Ellis 8 yard rush, (Tom Birney kick), Packers 20-13.
SF – Ray Wersching 24 yard field goal, Packers 20-16.
GB – Tom Birney 32 yard field goal, Packers 23-16. Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 18/35, 265 yards, TD, INT
GB – Lynn Dickey – 24/33, 244 yards, INT Top rushers
SF – Earl Cooper - 9 rushes, 51 yards
GB – Eddie Lee Ivery – 15 rushes, 91 yards Top receivers
Week 11: at Miami Dolphins [ ]
Week 11: San Francisco 49ers at Miami Dolphins;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
49ers
7
0
6
0
13
Dolphins
3
7
7
0
17
at Miami Orange Bowl , Miami, Florida
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
MIA – Nat Moore 15 yard pass from David Woodley , (Uwe von Schamann kick), Dolphins 10-7. Third quarter
SF – Freddie Solomon 1 yard pass from Steve DeBerg , (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 13-10.
MIA – Tony Nathan 8 yard pass from David Woodley, (Uwe von Schamann kick), Dolphins 17-13. Fourth quarter
Top passers
SF – Steve DeBerg – 29/41, 225 yards, TD, INT
MIA – David Woodley – 18/25, 222 yards, 2 TDs, INT Top rushers
SF – Don Woods - 6 rushes, 16 yards
MIA – Delvin Williams – 14 rushes, 69 yards Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 7 receptions, 72 yards
MIA – Jimmy Cefalo - 3 receptions, 83 yards
Week 12: vs. New York Giants [ ]
Week 12: New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Giants
0
0
0
0
0
49ers
0
12
0
0
12
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
NYG – Billy Taylor - 12 rushes, 44 yards
SF – Earl Cooper – 21 rushes, 86 yards Top receivers
NYG – Mike Friede - 4 receptions, 55 yards
SF – Earl Cooper - 3 receptions, 84 yards, TD
Week 13: vs. New England Patriots [ ]
Week 13: New England Patriots at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Patriots
0
3
7
7
17
49ers
7
7
7
0
21
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
NE – John Smith 42 yard field goal, 49ers 7-3.
SF – Earl Cooper 15 yard pass from Joe Montana, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 14-3. Third quarter
SF – Eason Ramson 2 yard pass from Joe Montana, (Ray Wersching kick), 49ers 21-3.
NE – Mosi Tatupo 2 yard rush, (John Smith kick), 49ers 21-10. Fourth quarter
NE – Mosi Tatupo 1 yard rush, (John Smith kick), 49ers 21-17. Top passers
Top rushers
NE – Don Calhoun - 13 rushes, 23 yards
SF – Earl Cooper – 17 rushes, 60 yards Top receivers
NE – Stanley Morgan - 4 receptions, 142 yards
SF – Eason Ramson - 3 receptions, 32 yards, TD
Week 14: vs. New Orleans Saints [ ]
Week 14: New Orleans Saints at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
OT
Total
Saints
14
21
0
0
0
35
49ers
0
7
14
14
3
38
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
NO – Ike Harris 33 yard pass from Archie Manning , (Benny Ricardo kick), Saints 7-0.
NO – Henry Childs 21 yard pass from Archie Manning, (Benny Ricardo kick), Saints 14-0. Second quarter
NO – Jack Holmes 1 yard rush, (Benny Ricardo kick), Saints 21-0.
SF – Freddie Solomon 57 yard punt return, (Ray Wersching kick), Saints 21-7.
NO – Jack Holmes 1 yard rush, (Benny Ricardo kick), Saints 28-7.
NO – Ike Harris 33 yard pass from Archie Manning, (Benny Ricardo kick), Saints 35-7. Third quarter
Fourth quarter
SF – Freddie Solomon 14 yard pass from Joe Montana, (Ray Wersching kick), Saints 35-28.
SF – Lenvil Elliott 7 yard rush, (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 35-35. Overtime
SF – Ray Wersching 36 yard field goal, 49ers 38-35. Top passers
Top rushers
NO – Tony Galbreath - 16 rushes, 86 yards
SF – Earl Cooper – 20 rushes, 125 yards, TD Top receivers
NO – Henry Childs - 8 receptions, 144 yards, TD
SF – Dwight Clark - 6 receptions, 155 yards, TD
Week 15: at Atlanta Falcons [ ]
Week 15: San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons;– Game summary
Game information
First quarter
Second quarter
Third quarter
ATL – Junior Miller 11 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 14-3.
ATL – Wallace Francis 81 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 21-3. Fourth quarter
ATL – Wallace Francis 12 yard pass from Steve Bartkowski, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 28-3.
ATL – Al Richardson fumble recovery in end zone, (Tim Mazzetti kick), Falcons 35-3.
SF – Dwight Clark 13 yard pass from Joe Montana , (Ray Wersching kick), Falcons 35-10. Top passers
SF – Joe Montana – 25/41, 221 yards, TD, 2 INTs
ATL – David Woodley – 22/31, 276 yards, 3 TDs, INT Top rushers
SF – Earl Cooper - 3 rushes, 36 yards
ATL – William Andrews – 18 rushes, 105 yards Top receivers
SF – Dwight Clark - 9 receptions, 90 yards, TD
ATL – Wallace Francis - 4 receptions, 148 yards, 2 TDs
Week 16: vs. Buffalo Bills [ ]
Week 16: Buffalo Bills at San Francisco 49ers;– Game summary
1
2
3
4
Total
Bills
6
7
5
0
18
49ers
6
0
7
0
13
at Candlestick Park , San Francisco, California
Game information
First quarter
BUF – Jerry Butler 10 yard pass from Joe Ferguson , (kick failed), Bills 6-0.
SF – Earl Cooper 4 yard rush, (kick failed), Tied 6-6. Second quarter
BUF – Curtis Brown 4 yard rush, (Nick Mike-Mayer kick), Bills 13-6. Third quarter
SF – Eason Ramson 2 yard pass from Joe Montana , (Ray Wersching kick), Tied 13-13.
BUF – Nick Mike-Mayer 25 yard field goal, Bills 16-13.
BUF – Safety, Buffalo team tackled Jim Miller in end zone, Bills 18-13. Fourth quarter
Top passers
Top rushers
BUF – Joe Cribbs - 18 rushes, 128 yards
SF – Earl Cooper – 15 rushes, 90 yards, TD Top receivers
BUF – Jerry Butler - 3 receptions, 34 yards, TD
SF – Lenvil Elliott - 8 receptions, 66 yards
Standings [ ] References [ ] External links [ ] 
