1966 South Carolina Gamecocks football team
American college football season
The 1966 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1966 NCAA University Division football season . Led by first-year head coach Paul Dietzel , the Gamecocks compiled an overall record of 1–9 with a mark of 1–3 in conference play, placing seventh in the ACC. The team played home games at Carolina Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina .
Dietzel, who had coached LSU to a national championship in 1958 and Southeastern Conference (SEC) titles in 1958 and 1961, became South Carolina's coach after four seasons at Army . Dietzel's first game leading the Gamecocks was on the road against his former team, LSU , with the Tigers winning, 28–12. Dietzel had suggested that LSU should schedule a four-game series with South Carolina when he was still the Tigers' head coach.[ 1]
Dietzel's first season also saw the introduction of the gamecock logo to South Carolina's helmets, and it has remained almost continuously ever since.[ 2] [ 3]
In South Carolina's only win of the season, against NC State , defensive back and team captain Bobby Bryant returned a punt 98 yards for a touchdown, setting a program record for longest punt return.[ 4]
Schedule
Date Opponent Site Result Attendance Source September 17 at LSU * L 12–2867,512 [ 5]
September 24 Memphis State * L 7–1624,404 [ 6]
October 1 Georgia * Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC (rivalry ) L 0–731,141 [ 7]
October 8 at NC State W 31–2135,200 [ 8]
October 15 Wake Forest Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC L 6–1026,593 [ 9]
October 22 at Tennessee * L 17–2938,944 [ 10]
October 29 at Maryland L 2–1435,400 [ 11]
November 5 Florida State * Carolina Stadium Columbia, SC L 10–3229,286 [ 12]
November 12 at No. 3 Alabama * L 0–2457,282–59,500 [ 13] [ 14]
November 26 at Clemson L 10–3547,237 [ 15] [ 16]
*Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game
[ 17]
References
^ "College football: LSU makes rare trip to South Carolina on Saturday – Bossier Press-Tribune" . September 11, 2024. Retrieved September 16, 2024 .
^ Adams, Emily. "South Carolina football wears throwback helmets from 1968 for Thursday game vs. S.C. State" . The Greenville News . Retrieved September 16, 2024 .
^ "South Carolina" . HELMET HISTORY . Retrieved September 16, 2024 .
^ "Where Are They Now? Bobby Bryant" . October 10, 2003.
^ "LSU has 28–12 victory; Crowd boos Dietzel" . The Greenville News . September 18, 1966. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Gamecocks bow to Memphis St" . The Miami Herald . September 25, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Bulldogs win, 7–0, over South Carolina" . Asheville Citizen-Times . October 2, 1966. Retrieved October 21, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "South Carolina stuns Wolfpack" . The Rocky Mount Telegram . October 9, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Deacons upset Gamecocks, 10–6" . The Times and Democrat . October 16, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Flowers leads Vols over Birds, 29–17" . The Times and Democrat . October 23, 1966. Retrieved May 7, 2022 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Maryland wins 14–2 over USC" . The News and Observer . October 30, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "FSU Seminoles run wild in win over Gamecocks" . The Palm Beach Post . November 6, 1966. Retrieved January 21, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .
^ Land, Charles (November 13, 1966). "Tide's just enough" . The Tuscaloosa News . p. 11. Retrieved July 21, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
^ "Third-ranked Crimson Tide waterlog Gamecocks 24–0" . Spartanburg Herald-Journal . Associated Press. November 13, 1966. p. B1. Retrieved July 21, 2013 – via Google News Archives.
^ Jim Anderson (November 27, 1966). "Tigers Pluck Gamecocks 35-10, Win ACC Title" . The Greenville News . p. 1 – via Newspapers.com .
^ "Clemson Football Media Guide - 1967" . Clemson University . 1967. p. 7. Retrieved November 9, 2023 .
^ "1966 Football Schedule" . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved July 28, 2017 .
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