First look: Top storylines, what to expect for South Carolina home opener vs. Furman
It’s been almost five months since South Carolina fans walked through the gates of Williams-Brice Stadium. And this weekend, they’ll get their first home football game of the 2023 season.
South Carolina hosts FCS program Furman for its home opener Saturday afternoon. Here’s a first glance at the Week 2 matchup.
South Carolina vs. Furman game, TV/stream info
Who: South Carolina (0-1) vs. Furman (1-0)
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Watch: Streaming on SEC Network Plus and ESPN+
Series history: South Carolina and Furman play for the 49th time, with the Gamecocks leading the all-time series 28-20-1. This is also the first meeting between the two since 2014, when USC won 41-10 in Columbia.
About South Carolina
After the 31-17 loss to ranked UNC in Charlotte, it’s time for head coach Shane Beamer and the Gamecocks to return home. That means fans finally get their first look at the revamped “2001” entrance that was hinted at last week, and the other in-game enhancements Williams-Brice Stadium will debut.
It also gives the opportunity for Beamer and his coaches to fix anything egregious from the Tar Heels game, including addressing the young offensive line that struggled mightily. Plus, multiple starters left the game with injuries — including Nick Emmanwori, Antwane Wells and others.
ESPN’s Football Power Index considers Furman the easiest opponent on the South Carolina schedule. If all goes as planned, this is a game the Gamecocks should win comfortably, get snaps for a lot of players and get healthy for the Week 3 road trip to play the Georgia Bulldogs.
About Furman
Furman opened its season with a 45-10 win over Tennessee Tech on Thursday. And the key to that win was four interceptions — including two pick-sixes — to tie the Paladins four interceptions back in 2017.
Tennessee Tech had the better numbers in three of the four quarters — the game just came down to those interceptions. The Paladins also had no touchdown passes against the Golden Eagles, despite out-gaining their opponent 384-291 in total offense. Head coach Clay Hendrix said he continuously rotated players into the game, and that it’s the “formula” that’s worked best in recent games.
Gamecock and Paladin players to watch
USC WR Xavier Legette: One of the highlights of Week 1 for the Gamecocks, the fifth-year receiver showed out against the Tar Heels with 178 yards on nine receptions. Beamer said postgame Saturday he was impressed with Legette’s performance, and that he “showed what kind of player he is” against the Tar Heels.
USC DB Jalon Kilgore: The true freshman came into the game after starting safety Nick Emmanwori exited with an injury in the first quarter. Kilgore had eight tackles — including three solo — in his Gamecock debut. Despite a few missed coverages against UNC in Week 1, Beamer said he was still pleased with Kilgore’s performance considering the number of snaps the freshman took.
Furman CB Travis Blackshear: Graduate student Travis Blackshear is the No. 15 FCS cornerback per HERO Sports, and was a large part of the Paladins’ success in Week 1, scoring a pick six in the first Tennessee Tech drive of last week’s game — the ninth of his career. Blackshear finished Week 1 with one assisted tackle with the interception, and said postgame he’s felt more confident since the start of fall camp.
Furman RB Dominic Roberto: Walter Payton Award Watch List running back Dominic Roberto scored two touchdowns against Tennessee Tech in 18 carries for 59 yards. Roberto averaged 86.15 yards last season, the only player on Furman’s roster to exceed for than 800 yards.
South Carolina football schedule
Sept. 2 – North Carolina 31, South Carolina 17
Sept. 9 – vs Furman – 7:30 p.m., SEC Network Plus/ESPN+
Sept. 16 – at Georgia – 3:30 pm, CBS
Sept. 23 – vs Mississippi State – TBA
Sept. 30 – at Tennessee – TBA
Oct. 14 – vs Florida – TBA
Oct. 21 – at Missouri – TBA
Oct. 28 – at Texas A&M – TBA
Nov. 4 – Jacksonville State – TBA
Nov. 11 – vs Vanderbilt – TBA
Nov. 18 – vs Kentucky – TBA
Nov. 25 – vs Clemson – TBA
