June 24, 2009

The University of South Carolina will play its first two football games of the 2009 season in prime time on national television, it was announced today.

The Gamecocks will open the season on Thursday, September 3 at NC State. That game will be televised nationally on ESPN beginning at 7 p.m. ET. That game will be the first for the Gamecocks in Raleigh since the 1999 season and just their second trip to Carter-Finley Stadium since the 1990 campaign. South Carolina blanked the Wolfpack, 34-0 last season in Columbia to deadlock the all-time series at 26-26-4.

Carolina will open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday, September 12 at Georgia. That contest will be televised nationally on ESPN2 with kick time also set for 7 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs hold a 45-14-2 advantage in the all-time series, including a 14-7 win in Columbia last season. The Gamecocks are just 7-25 all-time in Athens, but posted a 16-12 win in their last trip to Sanford Stadium in 2007.

The Gamecocks appeared on ESPN or ESPN2 six times during the 2008 season.

NOTABLE DATES OF INTEREST:

Friday, July 24 – South Carolina at SEC Media Days in Birmingham (Head Coach Steve Spurrier, WR Moe Brown and LB Eric Norwood)

Thursday, July 30 – Coaches/Media Golf Outing at Cobblestone Park in Blythewood, 8:30 a.m.

Monday, August 3 – Players Report for fall camp

Tuesday, August 4 – First Practice

Sunday, August 9 – Media Day

Sunday, August 16 – Fan Appreciation Day

Thursday, August 20 – Fall Semester Begins

Thursday, September 3 – Season Opener at NC State, 7 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, September 12 – SEC Opener at Georgia, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, September 19 – Home Opener vs. Florida Atlantic, Game time TBA