June 13, 2005

Columbia, S.C. – The first three games of the Steve Spurrier era at South Carolina will be televised nationally, marking the first such occurrence in school history.

In addition to the previously-announced season opener against Central Florida televised by ESPN at 7:45 p.m. on Sept. 1, the Southeastern Conference office announced Monday that ESPN will televise the Gamecocks’ contest at Georgia with coverage beginning at 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 9 and CBS will air Carolina’s game against Alabama at 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 17.

The national networks will have the option to televise more games as the season progresses.

Last season, the Gamecocks appeared on national television for a trio of games against Georgia, Alabama and Florida. The most nationally-televised games in a single season for South Carolina is seven, achieved in 2002.

Since the hiring of Spurrier, South Carolina football has received national attention. The Garnet and Black Spring Game was televised nationally by ESPN2 and ESPNU, Spurrier appeared as a guest on ESPN SportsCenter‘s Sunday Conversation and was also featured on ESPN2’s Cold Pizza. In addition, he was featured on The Golf Channel’s Top Shelf Wednesdays.

Broadcast networks and kickoff times for most of the games during the 2005 season will be determined two weeks in advance of the respective game date and will be announced on the official web site of South Carolina Athletics, www.uscsports.com.