Young Gamecocks Shine in Season-Opening Win Over Virginia Tech
South Carolina’s 2025 season opener in the Aflac Kickoff Game was a showcase of emerging talent and defensive grit. Inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the No. 13 Gamecocks leaned on a suffocating defense and two game-changing plays from underclassmen to secure a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech.
Freshman Vicari Swain stole the spotlight with an electrifying 80-yard punt return touchdown, while sophomore Fred “JayR” Johnson sealed the win with a clutch interception late in the game. Both players met with the media afterward to reflect on their breakout performances and the confidence instilled in them by the coaching staff.
Swain’s Bounce-Back Moment
Swain’s night didn’t start perfectly. After muffing an earlier punt, he got words of encouragement from head coach Shane Beamer.
“Coach Beamer was like this is going to happen. It’s your first time being out there. Make sure on the next one, just take it to the house,” Swain said. “I messed up the first time; I can’t mess up again. That’s my only shot.”
When Beamer made the surprising call to force a re-kick instead of taking a penalty, Swain delivered. “I was kind of surprised when he wanted to re-kick, but when I seen they were backed up, the ball was going to be kicked deep, so I trusted my guys up front to make the blocks. Made it happen.”
The freshman said his mindset is simple going forward: “I’m just going to give it my best, my all every single time I’m out there. Make the most of my ability every time I’m out there.”
Johnson’s Defensive Statement
Johnson’s interception highlighted South Carolina’s defensive dominance and capped his strong performance.
“It was a plaster play, he rolled out,” Johnson explained. “I just found the closest receiver, tight end, and I stuck to him. He threw the ball to me, and I caught it. With the two-yard return, I really didn’t know where I was.”
Johnson said the moment validated the faith his teammates had in him. “It felt good. I prayed a lot, envisioned myself making a lot of plays. It feels good to have a game like this.”
Head coach Shane Beamer joked afterward about Johnson’s offensive background in high school. Johnson grinned when asked if he thought he could have scored on the play: “Yeah, that’s why I tried.”
Defense Answers Doubts
The Gamecocks defense, which entered the season with questions after losing key veterans, silenced critics by keeping Virginia Tech out of the end zone.
“I feel like with them saying that we lost a lot of players and just questioning what we had on defense, I feel like they found out today for sure,” Johnson said. “Yeah, it’s not the old team.”
Swain echoed his teammate’s confidence: “We’ve got a lot of weapons on defense as well. We replaced a lot of good shoes. I’d say this year we’re probably more talented than we were last year.”
Embracing the Big Stage
For both underclassmen, the chance to shine in a nationally televised opener in front of a packed crowd was unforgettable.
“Just embracing the moment, just living in the moment,” Swain said. “Williams-Brice has a lot of people, we have great fans, we’re used to large crowds. So, nothing changes for us.”
Johnson agreed: “Like he said, just embracing it. Pray about it a lot, envision myself making the plays, and it was a good experience.”
South Carolina’s season debut not only delivered a convincing win but also spotlighted the future of the program. With Swain and Johnson stepping into the national spotlight, the Gamecocks showed they may be even more dangerous than expected.
