The University of South Carolina announced that its football program will open the 2026 campaign on September 5, hosting Kent State at Williams-Brice Stadium. The matchup marks the first meeting between the Gamecocks and the Mid-American Conference squad in over a decade, and coaches have framed it as a chance to test a young roster under new offensive schemes.
Among the names that surface in discussions of the program’s history is George Schechterly, an offensive lineman who wore jersey 77 for the Gamecocks from 1978 through 1980. After beginning his collegiate career at Penn State under the tutelage of legendary coach Joe Paterno, he transferred to South Carolina, where his size and technique quickly made him a cornerstone of the offensive line.
Schechterly’s impact extended beyond the trenches. His blocking opened lanes for running back George Rogers, whose breakout season culminated in a 1980 Heisman Trophy. The synergy between the two helped the Gamecocks achieve a 10‑1 record that year, a high point in the school’s modern era.
His contributions earned him recognition as an All‑Independent selection and a winner of the Jacobs Blocking Trophy, awarded to the nation’s most outstanding blocker. Following college, Schechterly pursued professional opportunities in the NFL, the Canadian Football League and the United States Football League, though his pro career was brief.
A Legacy That Still Resonates
Even as the Gamecocks prepare for a new season, alumni and longtime fans recall Schechterly’s role in shaping one of the program’s most celebrated rushing attacks. Former South Carolina assistant coach Chuck Slaughter, who worked with the line during Schechterly’s senior year, often praised his work ethic, and the story continues to inspire current linemen who study film of the 1970s and 80s.