Wes Mitchell and Chris Clark Break Down South Carolina’s Season-Opening Win Over Virginia Tech
South Carolina kicked off its 2025 campaign in style with a 24-11 victory over Virginia Tech in the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta. The win not only marked a strong start to Shane Beamer’s fourth season but also snapped a 48-year drought for Gamecock quarterbacks in Atlanta, thanks to LaNorris Sellers’ steady play. After the game, recruiting insiders Wes Mitchell and Chris Clark shared their thoughts on what the win revealed about South Carolina’s potential moving forward.
A win that wasn’t always pretty
Mitchell noted that while the 24-11 score looked comfortable, the game itself was far from a walkover. “South Carolina had to grind it out,” he said, pointing to the Gamecocks’ offensive inconsistency. USC punted on five of its eight drives before a game-changing special teams play shifted momentum.
That moment came courtesy of freshman defensive back Vicari Swain, who electrified the crowd with an 80-yard punt return touchdown early in the fourth quarter. “Somebody had to be a game changer,” Swain said postgame, and Mitchell echoed that sentiment, calling it “the spark USC desperately needed at that point.”
Sellers shows composure in his debut as QB1
Chris Clark highlighted the poise of sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers in his first start of the season. Sellers didn’t light up the stat sheet, but Clark praised his decision-making and ability to manage the game. “He didn’t force throws, he trusted his weapons, and he made the big play when it mattered,” Clark said. Sellers’ 64-yard touchdown strike to Nyck Harbor was the team’s only passing score, but it showcased the young QB’s arm strength and growing chemistry with his star receiver.
Defensive dominance sets the tone
Both Mitchell and Clark pointed to the defense as the backbone of the win. Edge rusher Dylan Stewart was a constant presence in the Hokies’ backfield, eventually recording a sack on quarterback Kyron Drones. Clark emphasized the growth of the defensive unit under Beamer: “This group has speed, depth, and confidence. They’re going to keep USC in a lot of games this year, even when the offense isn’t clicking.”
What the win means moving forward
The analysts agreed that while there’s plenty to clean up offensively, starting the season with a win over a Power Five opponent is a major boost for the Gamecocks. “This wasn’t just any opener,” Mitchell said. “Beamer was coaching against his alma mater, and the spotlight was on. To walk away 1-0 with that kind of defensive performance is something USC can build on.”
South Carolina now turns its focus to the home opener against South Carolina State. For Mitchell and Clark, the key will be finding more consistency on offense while continuing to ride the energy of a confident defense and a special teams unit capable of delivering game-changing moments.
