Recap, updates: South Carolina gets the win over Virginia Tech
The No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks defeated Virginia Tech 24-11 on Sunday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. South Carolina leads the series 12-7-2.
South Carolina vs Virginia Tech final score
Scoring plays
First Quarter
South Carolina 7, Virginia Tech 0: South Carolina marched down the field on its first drive and QB LaNorris Sellers ran in the touchdown on a 15-yard run. Scoring Drive: 7 plays, 7 yards, 2:51
South Carolina 7, Virginia Tech 2: The Hokies got on the board with a safety as Kelvin Gilliam and Kody Huisman sacked LaNorris Sellers in end zone. It came two plays after Gamecocks’ Fred Johnson intercepted Kyron Drones at the 2-yard line.
Second quarter
South Carolina 7, Virginia Tech 5: The Hokies cut into the lead on their first possession of second quarter on John Love’s 29-yard field goal. Scoring Drive: 8 plays, 59 yards, 2:32
South Carolina 10, Virginia Tech 5: William Joyce hits his first field goal of his career by knocking a 27-yard field goal. South Carolina had a TD taken away by replay on LaNorris Sellers’ pass to Nyck Harbor. Scoring Drive: 13 plays, 70 yards, 5:01
South Carolina 10, Virginia Tech 8: John Love hit a 56-yard field goal on the final play of the half. Scoring Drive: 11 plays, 37 yards, 3:42
Fourth quarter
South Carolina 17, Virginia Tech 8: Vicari Swain returned a punt return 80 yards for a touchdown to extend the Gamecocks’ lead. The return happened moments after USC made Virginia Tech punt again after a penalty.
It was first punt return for TD since Ace Sanders did it in the 2013 Outback Bowl against Michigan.
South Carolina 17, Virginia Tech 11: John Love kicked his third field goal of the game, this one a 39-yarder with nine minutes left. Scoring Drive: 9 plays, 58 yards, 4:31
South Carolina 24, Virginia Tech 11: The Gamecocks answered right back as LaNorris Sellers hit Nyck Harbor on a 64-yard touchdown pass with 7:42 left. It was Harbor’s longest catch of his career, breaking his previous mark of 45 yards as a freshman. It also was Sellers’ longest pass play, breaking mark of 60 yards he set last season. Scoring Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:18
Judge Collier, Gerald Kilgore injured
South Carolina starting defensive back Judge Collier left the game in the first half and was seen on crutches on the sidelines.
ESPN reporter Kris Budden said Collier has a sprained knee and would be evaluated at halftime. Collier played 1-3 plays after it appeared he was injured.
Collier was seen walking out on crutches out of the locker room.
Collier started all 13 games last season for the Gamecocks, had 28 tackles and led the team with eight pass breakups.
Another defensive back, Gerald Kilgore left the field with USC trainers and had a towel over his wrist.
Gamecock captains
South Carolina captains for the game were QBs Luke Doty and LaNorris Sellers, DB DQ Smith and DL Nick Barrett.
What’s Frank Beamer wearing?
The game is a special one for the Beamer family especially Frank Beamer, the former Virginia Tech head coach and father of USC coach Shane Beamer.
Frank featured a little bit of both teams in his wardrobe. He wore a black South Carolina quarter zip with Virginia Tech pin.
Frank Beamer also was spotted taking a selfie with a Virginia Tech fan during pre-game.
Gamecocks sell out of ticket allotment
South Carolina athletic director Jeremiah Donati said in a pre-game radio interview that the Gamecocks sold out of their 25,000 tickets allotted for the game and he expects an extra 10,000 to 12,000 USC fans to be at the game. Because the Gamecocks sold its entire ticket allotment, the Peach Bowl will pay South Carolina $4,305,240.
South Carolina travel roster for Atlanta
South Carolina released its dress list during pre-game and these players didn’t make the trip with the team: Lex Cyrus, Jordon Gidron, George Wilson, Josh Smith, Jaquavious Dodd, Jimmy Francis, Zahbari Sandy, Nathan-Harris Waynick, Isaiah McClary, Taeshawn Alston, Gunnar Yocum, Neil Salvage III, Brandon Cunninghan, Jackson Burger, Chase McCracken, Landon Kurtz, Larry Scott, Kobby Sakyi-Prah, Cedric Cisse, Tony Brown, Peyton Argent, Damola Ajidahun, Parker Lawson, Shedrick Sarratt, Ryan Brubaker, Campbell Vandiver, Lukas Vozeh, Reno Roehm, Jackson Repp, Emazon Littlejohn, Caleb Williams, Jaylen Brown, Zavion Hardy and Christian Ingram.
Sarratt is kind of a surprise, as some projected him as a starter on the offensive line for the game. Wilson, Brown and Sakyi-Prah have been injured, according to Gamecocks coach Shane Beamer.
New starting kicker
Based on South Carolina’s warmups, this looks like the special teams starters. Mason Love at punter; William Joyce at kicker; Max Kelley on kickoffs. Give credit to Joyce. This is his fifth season with the Gamecocks. He stuck it out and is finally getting his shot.
That being said ... This is the second-straight season that South Carolina is starting a kicker who has never **attempted** a collegiate kick.
Cole Ramsmussen is the new long snapper and Kyle Farrow is the new holder.
— Jordan Kaye and Lou Bezjak
About the South Carolina schedule
Virginia Tech is up first. Then South Carolina will have its home opener six days later on Saturday against in-state opponent South Carolina State at 7 p.m. The game will be on SEC Network Plus.
The Gamecocks start Southeastern Conference play the following week at home against Vanderbilt.
Gamecocks wearing all-black uniforms
South Carolina will be wearing an all-black uniform combination against the Hokes. Tight end Maurice Brown teased the uniform on social media recently. The block C logo on the helmet appears bigger than in previous years.
It is the first time USC is wearing all black since it knocked off Texas A&M at home last season.
Virginia Tech will be wearing white helmets, orange jerseys, orange pants and orange cleats for the game. The Hokies posted the uniform combination a week ago with a video shot in a Waffle House, whose headquarters are based in Atlanta.
Final betting odds
The Gamecocks are 7-point favorites, according latest odds on VegasInsider.com . South Carolina opened as 10-point favorites. The over-under for the game is 51.5 points.
Game prediction
ESPN’s matchup predictor gives South Carolina a 70.09% chance to win the game. The State’s Jordan Kaye also predicts a Gamecocks victory.
How to watch South Carolina play today
- Who: No. 13 South Carolina vs Virginia Tech
- When: 3 p.m. Sunday
- Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta
- TV: ESPN
- Broadcast crew: Bob Wischusen, Louis Riddick, Kris Budden
- Stream: Via ESPN app
This story was originally published August 31, 2025 at 12:28 PM.
