The South Carolina Gamecocks will travel to Gainesville, Fla. this week to take on the No. 16 Florida Gators. As the Gamecocks are looking for their first SEC win of the season, expected to make a return is EDGE rusher Dylan Stewart.
Stewart returned to the team this week after serving a one-week suspension stemming from his punch thrown towards Alabama player Josh Ford. He was suspended indefinitely by head coach Shane Beamer, and was suspended one game by the SEC and commissioner Greg Sankey. As expected, Stewart traveled with the team to Gainesville on Friday, and is expected to play on Saturday:
Per Coach Beamer, Stewart returned to the team earlier this week. By Thursday, signs were pointing towards Stewart returning. ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that he will play against the Gators in Gainesville on Florida:
Per an ESPN source, star South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart is playing at Florida tomorrow. The expected is now official. https://t.co/1PpsxaiYnu
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 9, 2026
“Dylan will travel with us tomorrow to Gainesville," Beamer said on Thursday evening via Gamecock Central. Assuming he continues to do what he’s supposed to do over the next day, which I’m confident and have no doubt that he will. And I’m proud of Dylan. Obviously, last week was a rough week for all of us."
It's unclear just how much playing time Stewart will get, but his return is welcomed, as South Carolina is down a couple defensive linemen heading into Saturday's game. Gabriel Brownlow-Dindy is listed as questionable to play, as he has been out the last two weeks with an injury. Also listed there is defensive end Julian Walker, who has played well stepping in for Stewart in recent weeks.
South Carolina will be going up against a tough Florida offense. The Gators are averaging 46.2 points per game, good for fifth nationally. Last week, Florida fell for the first time all season, losing 45-17 to Missouri on the road.
The Tigers did a good job containing Gator star running back Jadan Baugh, who finished with just 13 yards on the ground. Missouri's defense also sacked Florida quarterback Aaron Philo three times, and he finished with a season-low 61.8% completion percentage.
Stewart has been limited in his first few games back, as he was rehabbing a back injury all offseason. So far this season he has just one solo stop in his two games back. He was also not on the field during the fourth quarter of the Missouri game.
South Carolina could use him if it wants to upset the Gators on Saturday. The Gamecocks haven't won in Gainesville since 2014, and are listed as 11.5-point underdogs. Kickoff is set for 12:45 p.m. ET, and the game will air live on SEC Network.
A'ja Wilson wins her 5th MVP, putting her in elite company with Michael Jordan and others
Add us as a preferred source on Google