COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 10 South Carolina Gamecocks will host in-state Football Championship Subdivision rival South Carolina State in their 2025 home opener on Saturday. The Gamecocks (1-0, 0-0 SEC) will face the Bulldogs (1-0, 0-0 MEAC) at Williams-Brice Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m.
The Gamecocks are coming off a 24-11 victory over Atlantic Coast Conference opponent Virginia Tech in Atlanta last week. The win, their seventh straight in the regular season, was fueled by standout performances from linebacker Fred Johnson, who earned SEC Player of the Week honors for his 10 tackles and an interception, and punt returner Vicari Swain, who returned a punt 80 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers also contributed, completing 12 of 19 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown, while adding another score on the ground.
Under head coach Shane Beamer, the Gamecocks are looking to start the season 2-0 for the second consecutive year and the third time in five years. South Carolina began the 2024 season with wins over Old Dominion and Kentucky, and also started the 2021 season with victories against Eastern Illinois and East Carolina. The team has a 30-22 record under Beamer.
The home opener is a sellout, with season tickets for the 2025 season officially sold out. The university announced a record number of new season tickets were sold this year.
Saturday’s game will be streamed on ESPN+ and SEC Network+. The Gamecock Sports Radio Network broadcast will feature Hall of Fame quarterbacks Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs on the call.
