In May, we started a countdown to NC State football's season and ACC opener against Louisville, a game that was originally scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3.

In mid-June, the game was moved up a day to Wednesday, Sept. 2 in order to not conflict with the Kentucky Derby which was postponed from the traditional first Saturday in May to Saturday, Sept. 5 over Labor Day weekend.

Today, July 17 marks 47 days from the Wolfpack's season opener, for now.

Each day, The Wolfpacker will do a countdown to the season with a reflection on the significance of that number to NC State.

NC State made its first-ever bowl appearance in the 1947 Gator Bowl played on New Years Day in Jacksonville, Fla.

The 1946-47 Wolfpack football team was coached by Beattie Feathers and went 8-3 (6-1 SoCon) to finish third in the Southern Conference that season.

NC State ended the 1946 regular season with a 28-7 victory over Maryland in Riddick Stadium (video below) to clinch a bid to the second-ever Gator Bowl.

The Wolfpack faced off against the No. 14 ranked Oklahoma Sooners in its first-ever bowl appearance and ultimately lost 34-13 before a crowd of 10,034 in Fairfield Stadium.

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