'Super Mario' Anderson making big plays and having fun in a Gamecock uniform
On the long bus rides as a Division II football player, Mario Anderson passed the time by watching SEC games. He watched teams like Missouri, LSU and South Carolina.
But in the back of his mind, he knew he could compete at that level. He knew he was good enough to get there someday.
“No disrespect to D-II or anything like that, because that’s where I came from, but I knew I could challenge myself to be out there. To go play a bigger and better brand of ball,” Anderson said.
[Enter to win a Spencer Rattler-autographed Gamecocks football]
Anderson was a phenomenal running back at Newberry College. He rushed for over 1,500 yards last year.
And when his chance came to move up to a higher level, he took it. He transferred to South Carolina to fulfill that dream.
It took some time to get going, but Anderson has proven what he can do as a running back in the SEC. Over his last three games, Anderson has rushed for 287 yards and two touchdowns.
[Get the On3 app! Stay connected with GC!]
During last Saturday’s loss to Florida, Anderson made his signature play in a Gamecock uniform. After catching a pass from Spencer Rattler, he hurdled over a defender into the end zone for a touchdown.
The play went viral on social media. And when he got back home, he got a text from his brother, who was a hurdler in college.
“I looked at the group chat with my mom and my brothers, and he was talking trash like I didn’t put my right leg up first or something like that,” Anderson said. “But he was congratulating me and just happy for me and my success and everything.”
While Anderson’s play has been improving every week, he’s also been having a lot of fun.
[Get breaking news from GamecockCentral]
During Gamecock Walk last week, Anderson sported a bright red hat with a large “M” on the front. It’s in reference to the Super Mario character from the video games, a nickname his teammates promptly gave him.
“Just being able to have a nickname like that from people calling me Super Mario, I’m very blessed to be here,” Anderson said. “To be able to showcase my talents for everyone and just embrace what everyone is bringing to me and what I can bring to them. So I’m very happy and very lucky to be here and have that.”
