Season Opener Details
The Southeastern Conference has unveiled the kickoff times and broadcast partners for South Carolina’s first three games of the 2026 football season.
The Gamecocks will open the year with three consecutive home contests, beginning on Saturday, September 5, when they host Kent State at noon Eastern time on the SEC Network.
A week later, on September 12, South Carolina welcomes Towson for a 7 p.m. ET showdown that will be streamed on the SECN+ digital platform.
The third home game arrives on September 19, when the Gamecocks face Mississippi State at 4:15 p.m. ET, also on the SEC Network.
Historical Matchups
A brief look at the past meetings that shape these early contests.
South Carolina and Kent State have met only once, a 77‑14 victory for the Gamecocks in 1995, giving the team a perfect historical edge.
The upcoming clash with Towson will be the first ever meeting, though Towson entered the 2025 season with a 6‑6 record in the FCS Coastal Athletic Association.
Against Mississippi State, the Gamecocks hold a favorable series lead, having won eight of the last nine meetings and holding a 10‑7 overall advantage.
Their most recent encounter in Columbia ended 37‑30 in South Carolina’s favor in 2023, underscoring the team’s recent dominance.
Overall, the early schedule not only offers three straight home games but also sets the tone for a season that could see the Gamecocks build momentum heading into conference play.