Preview: Vanderbilt Travels to South Carolina
The Vanderbilt Commodores will head to Columbia next weekend with momentum on their side after a 44–20 victory over Virginia Tech in Blacksburg. Vanderbilt moved to 2–0 with the win, storming back from a 20–10 halftime deficit by shutting out the Hokies 34–0 in the second half. The Commodores didn’t allow a single rushing yard after the break and never punted across four quarters.
South Carolina also enters the matchup with a 2–0 record. The Gamecocks opened their season in Atlanta with a 24–11 win over Virginia Tech, keeping the Hokies out of the end zone. They followed that with a 38–10 win over South Carolina State, overcoming an early 3–0 deficit by scoring 17 unanswered points in the second quarter and pulling away for a comfortable victory.
Gamecocks’ Offensive Leaders
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers has been efficient through two games, completing 23 of 38 passes for 337 yards (60.5%) with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 152.4 passer rating. Sellers has also contributed on the ground, rushing 21 times for 48 yards and a touchdown.
The backfield has been paced by Oscar Adaway III, who leads the team with 80 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries (3.8 avg). Rahsul Faison has been effective in relief, adding 61 yards on 12 attempts (5.1 avg).
In the receiving corps, Nyck Harbor has emerged as a big-play threat, recording 99 yards and a touchdown on just three receptions (33.0 avg, long of 64). Donovan Murph and Vandrevius Jacobs provide reliable secondary options, combining for 117 yards, while tight end Brady Hunt adds a steady presence with 45 yards on four catches.
Gamecocks’ Defensive Leaders
South Carolina’s defense has been anchored by linebacker Fred Johnson, who leads the unit with 13 total tackles and an interception returned for 2 yards. DQ Smith has added 12 tackles from the secondary, while freshman linebacker Dylan Stewart has been disruptive up front with two sacks for 13 yards. Bryan Thomas Jr. has also applied pressure, recording a sack and forcing a fumble.
Matchup Outlook
This clash sets up as a measuring stick for both 2–0 programs. Vanderbilt has shown resilience and offensive balance, particularly in its explosive second-half surge against Virginia Tech. South Carolina, meanwhile, has paired a disciplined defense with Sellers’ dual-threat ability and Harbor’s big-play potential.
The battle in Columbia could hinge on whether Vanderbilt’s defense can contain Sellers and Adaway while keeping Harbor from stretching the field. Conversely, South Carolina’s front seven will be tasked with slowing down a Vanderbilt offense that looked nearly unstoppable after halftime in Blacksburg.
