January 1, 1946 • Jacksonville, Florida • 7,362 Attendance

Despite a record-breaking 90-yard pass interception return for a touchdown, the South Carolina Gamecocks fell to old nemesis Wake Forest, 26-14 in the inaugural Gator Bowl.

This was the first bowl outing for the Gamecocks and the first and last season for coach Johnnie McMillan. He was filling in for coach Rex Enright who was completing his military obligation. Enright had a lot to do with the Game-cocks receiving the bid as he was stationed in the Jacksonville area.

The game was a rematch of sorts since weeks before Carolina and Wake Forest had played to a 13-13 deadlock. But playing in 55 degree weather before a near capacity crowd did not serve well. Wake Forest jumped off to an early 6-0 first-quarter lead on a three-yard run by Nick Sacrinty. But the Gamecocks used the one-yard burst by Bobby Giles and a Dutch Brembs extra point to grab a 7-6 half time lead.

Wake Forest regained the lead with a Dick Brinkley run and the kick was blocked to lead, 12-7. Brinkley scored another touchdown early in the fourth quarter and added a 25-yard Bob Smathers run to blow to a 26-7 lead.

The only joy left for South Carolina in its first bowl appearance was the record-setting return by Brembs.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter
WF Sacrinty 3-yard run (kick failed)

2nd Quarter
USC Giles 1-yard run (Brembs kick)

3rd Quarter
WF Brinkley 3-yard run (kick blocked)

4th Quarter
WF Brinkley 1-yard run (Sacrinty kick)
WF Smathers 25-yard run (Sacrinty kick)
USC Brembs 90-yard interception return (Brembs kick)

Game Statistics