COLUMBIA, S.C. —

(South Carolina Athletics) The South Carolina Gamecocks will open the 2026 football season against the Kent State Golden Flashes, the two schools announced today. The non-conference game will take place at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on Saturday, Sept. 5.

Carolina and Kent State have met once previously on the gridiron with the Gamecocks rolling to a 77-14 win during the 1995 season. The Gamecocks were led by quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who completed 20-of-24 passes for 263 yards and four touchdowns. Carolina rolled up 544 yards of offense to just 167 for the Golden Flashes including minus-20 rushing yards on that October afternoon. The 77 points scored remains the modern school record.

South Carolina posted a 4-8 record in 2025 including a 1-7 mark in the Sout

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