The South Carolina Gamecocks have locked in their opening opponent for the 2026 football season, announcing a home matchup with Kent State at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026. The game will mark only the second time the two teams have shared the field. Their previous meeting dates back to 1995, when the Gamecocks delivered one of the most dominant performances in school history with a 77-14 victory. That win still stands as South Carolina’s modern-era scoring record. That game featured an explosive offensive showing led by legendary quarterback Steve Taneyhill, who completed 20 of 24 asses for 263 yards and four touchdowns. South Carolina overwhelmed the Golden Flashes with a massive 544 yards on offense.
The 2026 opener comes as South Carolina aims to recalibrate the offense following a 4–8 campaign in 2025, highlighted by a 1–7 mark in SEC play. Kent State finished its 2025 season at 5–7 overall, going 4–4 in the Mid-American Conference.
With the SEC moving to a nine-game conference schedule next year, non-conference opportunities are limited. The game against Kent State is one of just three non-conference matchups for the Gamecocks. South Carolina will also host Towson on September 12 before closing out the season against in-state rival Clemson in the annual Palmetto Bowl, scheduled for Saturday, November 28.
Conference play will feature a balanced but demanding slate, which is nothing new for the Gamecock as they face one of the hardest schedules in the SEC annually. South Carolina will host Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, Tennessee, and Texas A&M, while traveling to face Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, and Oklahoma.
Kicking off the season against Kent State gives South Carolina a chance to ease into what promises to be a pivotal campaign for the Gamecocks. The 2026 opener is a chance to set the tone for the program, establish momentum early, and leverage a home-field advantage before the grind of the nine-game SEC schedule begins.