COLUMBIA, S.C. (South Carolina Athletics) – The South Carolina Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2 SEC) return home this Saturday, Sept. 27, looking to rebound when they host the Kentucky Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 SEC) in an SEC showdown. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium (capacity 77,559).
On the Air: Fans can catch the action on the SEC Network, with Tom Hart on play-by-play, former Vanderbilt quarterback Jordan Rodgers providing analysis, and Cole Cubelic reporting from the sidelines. On radio, the Gamecock Sports Network will feature two legends behind the mic—Hall of Fame quarterbacks Todd Ellis (34th season) and Tommy Suggs (53rd season)—alongside Chet Tucker, who is back for his third season as sideline reporter.
Season So Far: South Carolina has had a mixed start to 2025. The Gamecocks opened strong with a 24-11 win over Virginia Tech in Atlanta, followed by a dominant 38-10 victory over South Carolina State at home. But SEC play has proven tougher—Carolina saw its eight-game regular-season winning streak snapped in a 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt, then fell on the road at Missouri, 29-20, evening their record at 2-2 overall and 0-2 in league play. The two straight losses mark the team’s first back-to-back setbacks since last season against Ole Miss and Alabama.
Beamer Ball Impact: Head coach Shane Beamer’s trademark emphasis on special teams continues to pay dividends:
- The Gamecocks have scored four non-offensive touchdowns this year—three punt returns and one fumble recovery.
- Freshman standout Vicari Swain has electrified fans, leading the nation with three punt return touchdowns on just seven attempts. Only 24 punts have been returned for scores across FBS football in 2025. Swain is also third nationally with a 30.1-yard punt return average.
- As a unit, Carolina sits first in the SEC and fifth nationally in punt return average (24.4 yards).
- Freshman punter Mason Love ranks 11th in the country with a 46.9-yard average, helping the team place fourth in the SEC and 18th nationally in net punting (45.0 yards).
- The Gamecocks have already blocked one punt this season. Under Beamer, they’ve totaled 17 blocked kicks/punts since 2021, trailing only Notre Dame (18) for most in the nation, tied with Old Dominion.
Playing for a Cause: Beyond the field, South Carolina is again joining forces with Curing Kids Cancer (CKC) for the First & Gold Campaign, now in its 13th year. The initiative raises money for pediatric cancer research and provides support to affected families. To show their commitment, the Gamecocks will wear helmet stickers during Saturday’s matchup, helping spread awareness for CKC’s mission.
