COLUMBIA, S.C. —
The South Carolina Gamecock football season starts this Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium, as USC will be going against Old Dominion from Virginia. The kickoff will be at 4:20 p.m.
Students are excited about the upcoming game. With more than 70,000 expected at Williams-Brice Stadium this Saturday, fans should arrive early to get ahead of traffic.
“We always ask our fans to be patient. We've done this for years, and so we're, hopefully, you know, fans will be patient, and we're fully prepared to handle the vehicular traffic and the fans into the stadium,” USC Executive Associate Athletics Director Charles Bloom said.
Fans can expect lights, fireworks, and music to create an overall experience. Security will be enforcing a clear bag policy with metal detectors to keep everyone safe.
“The student section is something I will never forget, just being there and the energy, especially when we score and being surrounded by your peers is something you can't replicate,” USC student Jacob Bishop-Pirrone said.
“I’m ecstatic. This is my first Gamecock football, this is my first college game. So, I’m very pumped," USC student Ricky Circelli said. "In my University 101 class, we watch like a trailer for the football games, and it was everyone saying Game ...Cocks, and I got like goosebumps on my skin.”
For those planning to go to the game, here's some basic information:
- Parking: Gamecock Park & Woodstock lots open at 10:15 a.m.; LMC Fair Park, Woodstock & Armory lots open at 11:15 a.m.
- Gamecock Village opens at 11:45 a.m.
- Box office and Gameday store at Bignon Gameday Center opens at 12:15 p.m.
- Football team arrives, along with Cocky, the USC drumline and spirit teams at Gamecock Walk in Gamecock Park, 2:15 p.m.
- Early stadium gates open, 2:15 p.m.
- All stadium gates open: 2:45 p.m.
- Pre-game fanfare begins: 3:55 p.m.
- Kickoff at 4:20 p.m.
- Halftime features over 500 high school marching band members joining the Mighty Sound of the Southeast