No. 10 South Carolina Set for Home Opener vs. South Carolina State
South Carolina is back in Columbia this weekend, gearing up for its 2025 home opener at Williams-Brice Stadium. Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks will welcome in-state FCS opponent South Carolina State on Saturday night in front of a sold-out crowd.
The Gamecocks return home riding momentum from a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech, a result that propelled USC into the top 10 of the Associated Press poll for the first time since 2014.
Game Information
- Matchup: No. 10 South Carolina vs. South Carolina State
- Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia, SC
- TV/Stream: SEC Network+ / ESPN+
- Broadcast Team: Kevin Fitzgerald, Charles Arbuckle, Ashley Stroehlein
- Radio: 107.5 FM (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Chet Tucker); SiriusXM 146/201
- Series Record: South Carolina leads 3-0 (last played in 2022)
Vegas sportsbooks have not listed a line for the game, but ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the Gamecocks a 99% chance of winning—unsurprising given the SEC-FCS mismatch.
Injury Updates
Head coach Shane Beamer shared updates on his weekly radio show:
- DB Judge Collier and EDGE Jatius Geer will remain out this week but are expected back next week.
- OL Shedrick Sarratt, who missed the Virginia Tech game, will be available to play against SC State.
Weather Outlook
Tailgaters should prepare for summer heat. Forecasts call for low 90s in the afternoon with kickoff temperatures in the upper 80s, dipping closer to 80 by the final whistle. Expect sunshine early, turning partly cloudy by evening.
Key Storylines
- QB Rotation Watch: Starter LaNorris Sellers likely won’t need to play the full game, opening opportunities for backups. Luke Doty is officially QB2, but Air Noland and Cutter Woods could also get snaps. Their performances will be closely watched.
- Top-10 Status: South Carolina jumped from No. 13 to No. 10 in the AP poll—their highest ranking since 2014. This will also mark their first home game as a top-10 team since a win over Clemson in 2013.
Players to Watch
South Carolina
- LB Fred “JayR” Johnson – Had 10 tackles and a red-zone interception against Virginia Tech, earning SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors.
- DB Vicari Swain – Stepped in for Collier in the secondary and delivered an 80-yard punt return touchdown, USC’s first since 2013.
South Carolina State
- QB William Atkins IV – Passed for 175 yards on 17-of-33 in SC State’s win over Wofford. He will split time with Ryan Stubblefield.
- DB Jarod Washington – A preseason All-MEAC First Team selection who tallied 28 tackles, 2 interceptions, and 10 pass breakups last year.
South Carolina 2025 Schedule (Remaining)
- Sept. 6: vs. South Carolina State – 7 p.m.
- Sept. 13: vs. Vanderbilt – 7 or 7:45 p.m.
- Sept. 20: at Missouri – TBD
- Sept. 27: vs. Kentucky – TBD
- Oct. 11: at No. 9 LSU – TBD
- Oct. 18: vs. No. 18 Oklahoma – Early
- Oct. 25: vs. No. 8 Alabama – TBD
- Nov. 1: at No. 21 Ole Miss – TBD
- Nov. 15: at No. 19 Texas A&M – Early
- Nov. 22: vs. Coastal Carolina – Afternoon
- Nov. 29: vs. No. 4 Clemson – Noon
South Carolina enters the weekend with momentum, a top-10 ranking, and a sold-out Williams-Brice crowd ready to welcome them home. Saturday night’s matchup should provide Beamer and his staff a chance to showcase depth and prepare for the SEC grind ahead.
