Stormy weather clears up ahead of South Carolina’s football game against Furman

Lou Bezjak/The State

Mother Nature is messing with Saturday’s college football games.

Stormy weather concerns canceled the first Gamecock Walk of the season ahead of South Carolina’s 2023 home opener against Furman at Williams-Brice Stadium.

“Due to inclement weather at the stadium, we will NOT have a Gamecock Walk for tonight’s game against Furman. Gamecock Nation, we can’t wait to see you loud and proud at kickoff,” South Carolina posted to X (formerly Twitter) shortly after 4 p.m.

The Gamecocks still held a modified walk, making the short journey from Bluff Road to the locker rooms shortly after 5 p.m.

South Carolina (0-1) and Furman (1-0) are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. The game won’t be broadcast via traditional television but will be streamed on ESPN+ and SEC Network Plus.

It doesn’t appear that weather will delay the Gamecocks and Paladins. Rain was falling lightly in the area near Williams-Brice as of almost 6 p.m., but skies were clearing up by 7 p.m.

The Columbia forecast: “Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly before 7 p.m.,” according to the National Weather Service. “Chance of precipitation is 60%.”

The Weather Service’s hour-by-hour forecast has the chance of rain closer to 50% during the Gamecocks’ game. A delay wouldn’t be expected as long as there’s no lightning in the area.

The game was announced as a sellout this week, though Saturday’s inclement conditions are likely to reduce the number of fans in attendance.

Storms delayed several ACC games earlier Saturday, including N.C. State hosting Notre Dame in Raleigh and Georgia Tech vs. S.C. State in Atlanta.