'That place is incredible': Williams-Brice Stadium atmosphere will be big challenge for Kentucky

by: Adam Luckett10 hours agoadamluckettksr

Nov 16, 2024; Columbia, South Carolina, USA; The Missouri Tigers play the South Carolina Gamecocks in the second half at Williams-Brice Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Kentucky will take its first road trip of the 2025 season in Week 5. This will be the first of five away games for the Wildcats. Redshirt freshman quarterback Cutter Boley will be making his first career road start and numerous UK starters will be playing in their first SEC road game. A huge test awaits.

That first road trip will be a night game under the lights at Williams-Brice Stadium. The venue in Columbia holds over 77,000 fans and has built a reputation for being one of the best atmospheres in the SEC. Kentucky’s last road trip proved that when the Gamecocks brought Darude back to celebrate “Sandstorm” becoming the unofficial anthem on South Carolina athletics.

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Kentucky head coach Mark Stoops will be making his seventh trip to Williams-Brice Stadium this weekend. The dean of SEC head coaches knows that this will be a difficult challenge for his football team.

“Going on the road in the SEC is difficult. We know playing at South Carolina — Williams-Brice. That place is incredible. What a great atmosphere. It’s always a real challenge,” Stoops said.

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Under Shane Beamer, South Carolina had won seven consecutive SEC homes games at night with multiple ranked victories at Williams-Brice Stadium until Vanderbilt ended a long losing streak to the Gamecocks and snapped that streak in Week 3. Clemson has also beaten Beamer in multiple night games under Beamer. Kentucky has found some success in this venue under Stoops (4-2 overall) but the home field advantage is clear. It could become more clear with a young quarterback facing off against a defense that has allowed just five total touchdowns in the previous four meetings versus Kentucky.

“It’s going to be a great challenge. A game that’s important to both of us. And a South Carolina team that’s very good coming off a tough loss,” Stoops said. “I’m sure they’ll be amped up and our team will be prepared and ready to go.”

Perhaps the biggest swing game of the season for both teams will occur at Williams-Brice Stadium under the lights. The place will be rocking. Kentucky will have to use silent counts and must weather some momentum storms to leave one of the best atmospheres in the SEC with a victory.