South Carolina’s 16-Game Streak Over Vanderbilt: A Look Back Before No. 17
When you think of legendary streaks in sports, your mind might jump to the Miami Dolphins’ 17-0 run in 1972, the Boston Celtics’ eight consecutive NBA titles from 1959-66, or even the Undertaker’s 21 straight WrestleMania wins.
But for South Carolina football, one streak stands above the rest: a 16-0 record against Vanderbilt since 2009. It’s not the most famous run in sports history, but it’s historic for the Gamecocks. It marks their longest streak over any opponent, active or all-time, and it also stands as the longest active winning streak for any SEC team over the Commodores. (LSU comes next with 10 straight.)
As USC gears up for a potential 17th consecutive win on Saturday, head coach Shane Beamer didn’t mince words about this Vanderbilt squad.
“The best Vanderbilt team that we’ve played in my time as the head coach,” Beamer said.
Before kickoff, here’s a look back at some of the defining moments in South Carolina’s 16-game run:
The Streak Begins (2009): South Carolina 14, Vanderbilt 10
After dropping back-to-back games to Vandy in 2007 and 2008, the Gamecocks flipped the script on Oct. 24, 2009. A 5-2, No. 24-ranked South Carolina team, led by Steve Spurrier, hosted the 2-5 Commodores at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The game turned on a five-play, 99-yard drive in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Stephen Garcia, who threw for 312 yards and two scores, connected with Alshon Jeffery on a 43-yard touchdown to seal the win. The streak was born.
Vandy’s Peak Season (2012): South Carolina 17, Vanderbilt 13
Vanderbilt’s best SEC season in the modern era came in 2012, when they went 9-4 overall, 5-3 in conference, and capped it with a Music City Bowl win. But that year still began with a loss to South Carolina.
Behind Marcus Lattimore’s 110 rushing yards and two touchdowns, the No. 9-ranked Gamecocks escaped Nashville with a win, setting the tone for another streak-defining chapter.
Muschamp’s Debut (2016): South Carolina 13, Vanderbilt 10
In Will Muschamp’s first year at the helm, USC finished just 6-7, but he started SEC play on a high note.
The season opener at Vanderbilt was a grind, tied late into the fourth quarter until kicker Elliott Fry drilled a 55-yard game-winner with 35 seconds left. It wasn’t flashy, but it kept the streak alive.
Beamer vs. Lea Begins (2021): South Carolina 21, Vanderbilt 20
Both Shane Beamer and Clark Lea took over rebuilding projects in 2021, inheriting teams that had just fired their head coaches midseason (USC at 2-8, Vanderbilt at 0-9).
That first matchup almost ended the streak. Vanderbilt led 20-14 with just 1:36 left. But graduate assistant-turned-quarterback Zeb Noland orchestrated a 75-yard, game-winning drive, pulling off the comeback and extending USC’s dominance.
Pure Domination (2023): South Carolina 47, Vanderbilt 6
For all the streak’s drama, blowouts have been rare—until last year. Behind transfer QB Spencer Rattler, the Gamecocks dismantled Vanderbilt in Columbia.
Rattler threw for 351 yards and three touchdowns, powering USC to its most lopsided win of the streak. The following year, they won again, 28-7, further cementing control over the series.
This Saturday marks the 33rd meeting between South Carolina and Vanderbilt since 1992. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. at Williams-Brice Stadium, as the Gamecocks chase win No. 17 in a row over the Commodores.
