South Carolina Football Returns Home for Week 2 Clash Against South Carolina State
After an impressive season-opening victory over Virginia Tech, the South Carolina Gamecocks are set to return to Williams-Brice Stadium for their home opener. The Week 2 matchup will feature an in-state showdown against South Carolina State, giving fans their first chance this season to fill the stands in Columbia under the lights. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. ET on Sept. 6, 2025, with live coverage available on SECN+/ESPN+.
Game Details
- Matchup: South Carolina vs. South Carolina State
- When: Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025 – 7:00 p.m. ET
- Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (Capacity: 77,559), Columbia, SC
- TV/Streaming: SECN+/ESPN+ (Kevin Fitzgerald, Charles Arbuckle)
- Radio: Gamecock Sports Network 107.5 (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Chet Tucker)
- Satellite Radio: Sirius/XM Channel 146 or 201
- Odds: South Carolina -42.5
- Weather: 85°, mostly cloudy, light winds from the WNW at 3 mph
Familiar Schedule, Familiar Challenge
This year’s SEC schedule mirrors last season’s slate, with only the venues flipped. The biggest highlight comes when Oklahoma makes its first-ever visit to Williams-Brice Stadium, a historic addition to the Gamecocks’ conference lineup. Non-conference action is equally exciting, with three in-state opponents on the home schedule: South Carolina State (Sept. 6), Coastal Carolina (Nov. 22), and the traditional rivalry clash with Clemson (Nov. 29).
Coaching Experience That Stands Out
Head coach Shane Beamer’s staff is loaded with top-tier experience. Six of South Carolina’s 10 assistants boast NFL backgrounds, including Joe DeCamillis, Mike Furrey, Torrian Gray, Sterling Lucas, Mike Shula, and Lonnie Teasley. That pedigree brings an extra layer of credibility and preparation to a roster with growing depth and talent.
Non-Conference Dominance
South Carolina has been historically strong against non-Power 4 competition. Since 2000, the Gamecocks hold a 57-4 record (.934) in such games, with the few blemishes being losses to UConn (2010 Papajohns.com Bowl), The Citadel (2015), USF (2016 Birmingham Bowl), and Appalachian State (2019).
At Williams-Brice, the Gamecocks have been especially tough to beat. They’ve won 41 of their last 48 non-conference home games (.854) and went 3-0 at home in 2024 with victories over Old Dominion, Akron, and Wofford.
Storylines to Watch
- Family Ties: Two sets of brothers are on the roster this season. Safety Jalon Kilgore, a Freshman All-American in 2023, is joined by his brother Gerald, who transferred from Tennessee Tech. Meanwhile, quarterback LaNorris Sellers will be throwing to his younger brother Jayden, a true freshman receiver.
- Transfer Power: South Carolina brought in 17 scholarship transfers, nine of whom come from Power 4 conferences. Four—Jaylen Brown (Missouri), Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy (Texas A&M), Jordan Dingle (Kentucky), and Justin Okoronkwo (Alabama)—will face their former teams this fall.
- SEC Milestone: The 2025 campaign marks South Carolina’s 34th season in the SEC. Since joining in 1992, the Gamecocks have seen highs and lows, with a division title in 2010 and a resurgence in the early 2010s when they went 42-38 in league play.
A Different SEC Landscape
With Texas and Oklahoma now in the SEC and divisional play dissolved, some traditional rivalries have been disrupted. For the second straight year, South Carolina won’t face longtime Eastern Division foes Georgia, Florida, or Tennessee—programs it had played annually since 1992.
Building on 2024 Success
The Gamecocks are looking to build momentum from last season’s strong finish. In 2024, Carolina posted a 9-4 record (5-3 SEC), finishing ranked 19th in both major polls. After a rocky midseason stretch left them at 3-3, they stormed back with six straight wins before falling to Illinois in the Citrus Bowl.
That foundation carries into 2025, with 21 returning starters bringing valuable experience. Safety DQ Smith leads with 34 career starts, while right tackle Cason Henry anchors the offensive line with 14.
The Bottom Line
South Carolina enters Saturday’s matchup as heavy favorites, listed at -42.5, but the game is more than just a tune-up. It’s the home debut for a team eager to prove last year’s success was no fluke. With a loaded schedule ahead and a retooled SEC landscape, the Gamecocks will look to sharpen their identity under the lights at Williams-Brice.
