Today there are 37 days until kickoff.
37 is another great number in Gamecock History. It belonged to the great Steve Wadiak. Before George Rogers came along, Wadiak was the leading rusher in Gamecock history. The Cadillac rolled up 2,878 yards from 1948-1951.
Wadiak still holds the record for most yards per carry in a season (8.2 in 1948) and longest run from scrimmage (96 v. George Washington in 1950), He also had the most yards against Clemson in a game when he accumulated 256 yards in 1950. That total stands as 3rd all time in USC history. He is one of only three running backs to lead the Gamecocks in rushing in 4 straight seasons. (Thomas Dendy and Brandon Bennett were the others). He also led the team in scoring those 4 seasons. In 1950 he also lead the team in receiving.
Known as the Cadillac he had been in the Navy before coming to Columbia. After his senior season he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the third round of the draft. However, he never played a down for the Steelers because he was killed in a car wreck near Aiken in the spring of his senior year. Had fate not intervened there’s no telling how big his legend might have grown.
