1946 Gator Bowl

The 1946 Gator Bowl was the first inaugural game and it featured the Wake Forest Demon Deacons and the South Carolina Gamecocks, both from the Southern Conference. It was one of only two bowl rematches of a regular season game that ended in a tie.

1946 Gator Bowl
The First Gator Bowl
Wake Forest Demon Deacons South Carolina Gamecocks
(4–3–1) (2–3–3)
SoCon SoCon
26 14
Head coach: 
Peahead Walker		 Head coach: 
John D. McMillan
AP
19
AP
NR
1234 Total
Wake Forest 60614 26
South Carolina 0707 14
DateJanuary 1, 1946
Season1945
StadiumFairfield Stadium
LocationJacksonville, Florida
MVPBack Nick Sacrinty (Wake Forest)
Attendance7,362

Background

This was the first bowl game appearance for either team. The two had played earlier in the season (November 22nd) in Charlotte, ending in a tie, 13–13. Wake Forest had finished 4–0–1 down the stretch, while South Carolina was 2–3–3, but were still invited to play.

Game summary

Nick Sacrinty scored for Wake Forest on a touchdown run to give them a 6–0 lead in the first quarter. South Carolina responded with a Bobby Giles touchdown run to have a 7–6 halftime lead. But Wake Forest would score three straight running touchdowns with two Dick Brinkley touchdowns and a Bob Smathers touchdown to have a 26–7 lead. South Carolina would have a touchdown late on an interception return, but Wake Forest held on to win with the run game being their strong suit, with 378 of their 396 yards being on the run, outgaining the Gamecocks.[1]

Aftermath

Wake Forest has not played in the Gator Bowl since this game, and they would have to wait until the 1992 Independence Bowl for their next bowl win. South Carolina would not win a bowl game until the 1995 Carquest Bowl (January), on their ninth bowl appearance, with four being in Jacksonville.

Statistics
StatisticsWake ForestSouth Carolina
First Downs247
Yards Rushing37888
Yards Passing1869
Total Yards396157
Fumbles-Lost3-13-1
Interceptions21
Penalties-Yards8-701-5

References
  1. Brittany Norris. "1st Gator Bowl" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2015-01-13. Retrieved 2015-01-11.
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