Game Times Officially Announced for South Carolina’s First Three Matchups of the 2025 College Football Season in September

The anticipation for the 2025 college football season continues to build, and South Carolina fans now have one more reason to mark their calendars. The Southeastern Conference announced the game times for the South Carolina Gamecocks’ first three contests of the upcoming season. All three matchups are scheduled for Saturdays in September, and they feature a combination of regional rivalries, Power Five competition, and a key conference showdown that could set the tone for South Carolina’s year.

The Shane Beamer era enters a critical phase this fall, with the Gamecocks seeking to re-establish themselves as a consistent threat in the SEC East. After a 2024 season that saw flashes of potential but also frustrating inconsistency, the program is looking to take a significant step forward in 2025. With a new starting quarterback, a handful of returning defensive standouts, and a more seasoned coaching staff, the early stretch of the season will serve as a crucial litmus test for South Carolina.

South Carolina will open the season on Saturday, August 30, with a home game against Old Dominion. That contest is slated for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff, and it will be televised on the SEC Network. While the Monarchs might not have the same national reputation as other opponents, they are far from a cupcake. Old Dominion has made noise in the Sun Belt Conference in recent years and is known for its physical play on the defensive side of the ball. The Gamecocks will need to be sharp in all phases to avoid an early-season letdown.

Beamer has emphasized the importance of starting fast in 2025. In recent years, South Carolina has had mixed results in season openers. In 2021, the team kicked off the season with a convincing win over Eastern Illinois. However, in 2023 and 2024, the Gamecocks struggled out of the gate. This year’s matchup against Old Dominion offers the chance to set a positive tone and build confidence before the competition stiffens in the coming weeks.

The second game on the slate will be one of the most talked-about early non-conference games in the country. South Carolina will travel to Chapel Hill to face North Carolina on Saturday, September 6, in a noon ET kickoff game on ABC. This border-state showdown has taken on added significance in recent years. The Tar Heels defeated the Gamecocks in Charlotte in the 2023 season opener, while South Carolina returned the favor in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl two years prior. These two programs have been battling on the field and in recruiting, especially for top talent in the Carolinas.

North Carolina, led by head coach Mack Brown, is reloading after the departure of several key starters to the NFL. Still, the Tar Heels boast one of the ACC’s more dynamic offenses and have high expectations for the 2025 season. Playing in hostile territory at Kenan Memorial Stadium, South Carolina will need to execute well early, particularly on defense. A win over a ranked North Carolina team could pay dividends for South Carolina’s national perception and potentially serve as a springboard into SEC play.

Perhaps the most significant game among the three is the third matchup of the season, when South Carolina hosts Kentucky in its SEC opener on Saturday, September 13, at 3:30 p.m. ET on CBS. The Wildcats have emerged as a thorn in the Gamecocks’ side over the past decade, with Kentucky dominating the series throughout the late 2010s and early 2020s. South Carolina did pick up a narrow win over the Wildcats in Columbia in 2022, but the overall trend remains lopsided in favor of Mark Stoops’ program.

Beamer has publicly acknowledged the importance of turning the tide against divisional opponents like Kentucky. These are the kinds of matchups that determine bowl eligibility, conference standings, and ultimately coaching legacies. With the game being broadcast nationally on CBS during the prime afternoon slot, it also represents a valuable recruiting showcase for South Carolina. Williams-Brice Stadium is expected to be packed to the brim for the SEC home opener, and the atmosphere should be electric.

As for the team itself, South Carolina has undergone notable changes since the end of the 2024 campaign. Former quarterback LaNorris Sellers has moved on, and the program is placing its hopes in sophomore signal-caller Davis Weidman, who impressed in spring practice with his poise, pocket awareness, and strong arm. The offense will also rely on veteran running back Juju McDowell and a trio of sophomore wideouts who showed flashes last year: Nyck Harbor, Kelton Henderson, and Mazeo Bennett.

On the defensive side of the ball, South Carolina returns a strong core, including linebackers Stone Blanton and Grayson Howard. The defensive line has been bolstered by transfer additions from both the Big Ten and ACC, while the secondary will rely on the leadership of senior cornerback O’Donnell Fortune. Defensive coordinator Clayton White enters his fifth year in Columbia and has repeatedly stated that this is his deepest and most versatile group yet.

Special teams, always a point of emphasis under Beamer, should be a strength once again. Punter Kai Kroeger returns after a strong 2024 season, and the kicking duties will be handled by sophomore Alex Herrera, who nailed 16 of 19 field goals last fall. The return game could see a spark as well, with freshman phenom Amarion Brown expected to take over punt and kick return duties.

In terms of preparation, the early start times and televised nature of these games add a layer of urgency to training camp. Coaches will have to balance installing the playbook with getting younger players up to speed quickly. With the first three games spread across a 15-day stretch, there won’t be much room for error or rest. The game against North Carolina, in particular, requires a high level of execution, as playing a Power Five opponent on the road in Week 2 is never easy.

The Gamecocks’ 2025 schedule only gets tougher from there, with games against Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and Texas A&M looming in October and November. That makes the first three contests not only a measuring stick but also an opportunity to bank wins and momentum. Going 2-1 or even 3-0 to start the year could set South Carolina on a path toward an eight- or nine-win season — a significant step forward from last season’s 6-7 finish.

Fans will also note the strategic value of the Kentucky game falling in Week 3. For years, South Carolina has entered SEC play either banged up or unprepared for the physicality of conference opponents. This year, a manageable opener and a road test against UNC may allow the Gamecocks to be in better form by the time they face the Wildcats. Moreover, hosting Kentucky instead of traveling to Lexington should give South Carolina an edge.

Beamer has expressed optimism throughout the offseason, repeatedly stating that he believes this team is closer to reaching its potential than outside observers might think. With the offensive line getting a needed overhaul and the defense finally featuring depth across all three levels, 2025 could be the breakthrough season the fan base has been waiting for. But it will all depend on how the Gamecocks start the season — and that begins on August 30 under the lights at Williams-Brice.

To recap, South Carolina’s first three games of the 2025 football season are officially set:

• Aug. 30 vs. Old Dominion – 7:30 p.m. ET, SEC Network

• Sept. 6 at North Carolina – Noon ET, ABC

• Sept. 13 vs. Kentucky – 3:30 p.m. ET, CBS

The Gamecocks will need to be locked in from the very first snap if they hope to capitalize on the opportunities presented in these games. With a young quarterback, a passionate fan base, and a critical early SEC test, the opening three weeks could define what direction the 2025 season takes for South Carolina football.