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South Carolina

With 33 days until South Carolina football kicks off 2025, a look back at No. 33, Brandon Bennett

by: Kevin Miller07/29/25kevinbmiller52
Former South Carolina football running back Brandon Bennett. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Former South Carolina football running back Brandon Bennett. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images

South Carolina football will take the field for the first time in the 2025 season on August 31st when the Gamecocks take on the Virginia Tech Hokies in Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. That means kickoff is just 33 days away.

No. 33 is a big one in Gamecock history, and though several memorable names (including Corey Miller) wore the jersey, it was most prominently worn by running back Brandon Bennett. A Palmetto State native, he is one of the top rock-toters ever to wear the garnet and black. Bennett led South Carolina in rushing for four seasons, making him one of just three USC running backs to have done so. He also led the team in receptions twice, making him the only Gamecock to lead the team in both rushing and receptions in two seasons.

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Despite not being the biggest back ever to roll through Columbia (he was just 5-11), Bennett was a bruiser. He routinely ran through would-be tacklers, but he had smooth enough feet to make a guy miss in the open field, too.

Bennett finished his time at South Carolina second in program history in rushing yards behind only George Rogers. His 3055 yards remain second among Gamecocks, and his 27 rushing touchdowns are tied for fourth all-time. His 984 yards receiving are the fourth-most among players who spent most of their time playing in the backfield.

Bennett owns the South Carolina football single-game record for rushing. In just his fifth game as a freshman, Bennett romped for 278 yards in a game against East Tennessee State in 1991.

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Bennett’s most famous moment as a Gamecock came in 1993 against the rival Georgia Bulldogs in Athens. With South Carolina inside the five-yard line with under one minute to play, the Gamecocks trailed 21-17. However, on back-to-back plays, Bennett followed fullbacks Rob DeBoer and Stanley Pritchett, launching himself over the top of the blockers. On the first try, the Georgia defense stopped him just shy of the goal line. On the second, though, Bennett fell into the end zone with two seconds remaining, giving South Carolina the win and inspiring the now-famous “he broke our hearts with two seconds to go!” call from legendary Georgia radioman, Larry Munson.

After graduation, Bennett spent nearly a decade in the NFL. Most notably, he was a high-level backup behind Pro Bowler Corey Dillon for six years. Bennett was also a great special teams player in the League. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2002 and was a good coverage unit player.

In 2004, Bennett earned induction into the University of South Carolina Lettermen’s Hall of Fame. Then, in 2011, the Southeastern Conference recognized him as an SEC Legend.

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