South-Carolina
South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech FREE STREAM: How to watch today
ATLANTA – The No. 13 South Carolina Gamecocks clash with the Virginia Tech Hokies in the Aflac Kickoff Game today – Sunday, Aug. 31 – at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. This game is available on multiple streaming services.
How do I watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech for free?
This game will broadcast live on ESPN at 3 p.m. Eastern. Fans who have parted ways with their local cable provider can catch this game for free by utilizing a free trial from DIRECTV, which also offers $35 off your first month.
FuboTV has up to $30 off your first month.
The most flexible option is Sling TV, which now offers new users a Day Pass for $4.99, Weekend Pass for $9.99, Week Pass for $14.99, Monthly for $45.99 and Season Pass for $199.99 for five months and $45.99 per month thereafter.
This game is also available on the ESPN app streaming service, which now offers an Unlimited Plan for $29.99 per month (or $299.99 for entire year) and the Select Plan for $11.99 per month (or $119.99 for entire year). The ESPN app replicates its previous coverage of select games and broadcasts on ESPN Plus.
| Streaming service | Monthly Price | Free trial | Length | Discount |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | $74.99 | Yes | 5-day | $35 off first month |
| FuboTV | $64.99 | No | N/A | $30 off first month |
| Sling TV | $4.99-$199.99 | No | N/A | Half off first month |
| ESPN Streaming | $11.99 | No | N/A | No |
The Gamecocks are coming off a rugged 9-4 campaign, which included a 5-3 record in the beefed-up SEC.
South Carolina lost offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains to Appalachian State for their head coaching vacancy. Mike Shula, former New York Giants offensive coordinator, will fill the role and take on those duties for the first time since 2019.
The hype is high around sophomore quarterback and All-SEC selection LaNorris Sellers. In 12 games last season as a freshman, Sellers threw for 2,543 yards and 18 touchdowns while giving away seven interceptions. He recorded a 69.8 QBR, which was top 40 in the nation.
Junior athlete Nyck Harbor is one of the most versatile playmakers in the country. In 10 games, Harbor hauled in 26 passes for 376 yards and three touchdowns.
Senior running back Rahsul Faison is in tow after battling eligibility issues in the offseason. He notched 198 carries for 1,109 yards and eight touchdowns at Utah State last season. Expect Faison to be a workhorse for the Gamecocks in 2025.
South Carolina graduated five defensive players to the NFL.
Junior defensive back and preseason All-SEC selection Jalon Kilgore recorded 31 solo tackles and five interceptions last season.
Sophomore linebacker and preseason All-SEC standout Dylan Stewart is expected to garner a lot of eyeballs as well this year. He tallied 17 solo tackles and 6.5 sacks and three forced fumbles as a freshman last year.
Watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech on DIRECTV for free
The Hokies are coming off a 6-7 campaign that was filled with mediocrity, including a 4-4 mark in the ACC. They finished in eighth place in the conference. Head coach Brent Pry has failed to make an impact and could be on the hot seat in the first half of the season.
The Hokies welcome in nearly 50 new pieces this year, including a slew of freshman, four West Virginia offensive lineman and some other portal impacts. Offensive coordinator Phillip Montgomery takes over the offensive play-calling duties, hoping to spark Drones.
Senior quarterback Kyron Drones, who suffered through injuries in 2024, looks to make a leap in 2025. In nine starts last season as a junior, Drones compiled 1,562 yards and 10 touchdowns with six interceptions. The dual threat also racked up 98 carries for 336 yards and six touchdowns. He was Virginia Tech’s second-leading rusher last season.
Junior Ayden Greene is the receiver to watch for Drones’ corps. He hauled in 19 receptions for 268 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 14.1 yards per reception last season. Junior tight end Benji Gosnell is expected to be more involved in the offense after collecting 32 receptions for 341 yards and two touchdowns.
Bhayshul Tuten graduated to the NFL, leaving a gaping hole in the backfield. Pry searched through the portal to pull out Bowling Green’s Terion Stewart, Coastal Carolina’s Braydon Bennett and Central Missouri’s Marcellous Hawkins.
The Hokies will debut new offensive line coach Matt Moore, who is responsible for the drastic Mountaineer-led adjustment in the trenches. First-year defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes will also see his first action on the sideline.
South Carolina leads the all-time series, 11-7-2. The Hokies are 3-1 against the Gamecocks on neutral sites. It marks the first meeting between the two teams since 1991.
Who is announcing South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech?
Bob Wischusen (play-by-play) and Louis Riddick (analyst) will be the announcers while Kris Budden reports from the sidelines.
What are the latest odds for South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech?
Spread: SC: (-7), VT: (+7)
Moneyline: SC: (-290), VT: (+235)
Point total: 52.5
Odds from DraftKings
Here’s more information on how to watch South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech on TV and streaming services.
What: Aflac Kickoff Game 2025: South Carolina vs. Virginia Tech
When: Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025
Time: 3 p.m. Eastern
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium | Atlanta, Ga.
Channel: ESPN
Best streaming options: FuboTV ($30 off your first month), DIRECTV (free trial and $35 off your first month), Sling TV (half off first month and daily, weekend, weekly, monthly and season pass) and ESPN Streaming
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All that separated Connor Doyal from the biggest win of his amateur golfing career was 5 feet of perfectly manicured green on Hole No. 18 at Naples National Golf Club. That plus a super-sized case of the yips.
“My hands were shaking uncontrollably,” said the 26-year-old mid-amateur from Charleston, South Carolina. “But I’ve had some moments like this before, and I think I’ve just learned to let it happen and not fight it. I knew it wasn’t going to be the best stroke of my life, but in the moment, I just had to trust myself to make the putt.”
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Just as he had for much of the third and final round of the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational, Doyal delivered, dropping in the putt to win the event by one stroke over 17-year-old junior golfer Dawson Lew of Toronto, Canada.
Connor Doyal, a 26-year-old mid-amateur golfer from Charleston, S.C., celebrates with the trophy after winning the 30th annual Terra Cotta Invitational on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
Doyal, who entered the day two shots behind co-leaders Giuseppe Puebla of Royal Palm Beach and University of Florida senior Parker Bell, shot 5-under 67 to finish 12-under, two shots off the low-scoring record for the 54-hole tournament.
“Honestly, I just hit the ball fantastic start to finish,” Doyal said. “I hit a ton of greens and then the putter started heating up. I woke up feeling good this morning, and I knew I had it in me.
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“Coming down the stretch, I had to battle. I’m just glad it’s over. I mean, the heart rate is still extremely high right now.”
Doyal had seven birdies in his final round, the best of which came on the par-4 No. 14. He used his six-iron to blast his second shot 220 yards to within inches of the cup, setting up a short putt that gave him a one-shot lead over Bell.
Doyal followed with a birdie on No. 15 to up his lead to two strokes, but made things interesting by shorting a putt on No. 17 for bogey.
Playing in a group just ahead of Doyel, Lew missed a 35-foot try for birdie on the par-5 No. 18 a smidge left to finish at 11-under after a final round 68.
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Clinging to that one-shot lead on No. 18, an admittedly amped-up Doyal nearly overshot the green on his third shot from about 80 yards out, the ball settling on the back fringe. He followed with a deft chip, setting up his tournament-winning putt.
“It was a little bit nervy there, but I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Doyal said. “I’m always going to be able to look back at that up and down on 18 and be like I have what it takes when the pressure is on.”
Widely regarded as one of the best amateur events for junior golfers in the country, the Terra Cotta’s field included nearly the entirety of the top 25 in the Rolex American Junior Golf rankings. That included Luke Colton of Frisco, Texas, who was gunning for an unprecedented third consecutive Terra Cotta championship. The 18-year-old Vanderbilt commit came up short in his quest, finishing 3-under and in a tie for 21st place.
“I started off pretty bad, just kind of had a weird first day,” said Colton, who opened with a 2-over 74. “Nothing was going my way. But I was pretty happy with the way I ended it.”
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Colton said the Terra Cotta is one of his favorite events of the season.
“You’ve got a great field and obviously an amazing course,” he said. “I think that’s why everybody wants to come and play at this tournament.”
Another top junior was a late and unreported entry to the Terra Cotta. Charlie Woods, son of golfing great Tiger Woods, got off to a rough start with an opening round 79, but shot a 3-under 69 in the final round to finish in a tie for 42nd place with a 3-over 219.
Among the five Naples-area competitors, former Gulf Coast High School standout and current University of Florida golfer Noah Kent had the best showing. The 20-year-old finished with a 2-over 218 for the tournament, placing him in a tie for 34th. The other local entrants were Spencer Ives (220), Brian Bassett (222), Jack Ryan Donovan (224), and Kaden Latrielle (229).
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Contact Sports Reporter Dan DeLuca at ddeluca@usatodayco.com. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Connor Doyal wins Florida amateur event, Charlie Woods ties for 42nd
Columbia, Mo. — The South Carolina softball team (25-21, 4-13) dropped the second game of its series at Missouri (24-23, 7-10) 5-0 Saturday night (Apr. 18).
Kai Byars led the Gamecocks with a pair of doubles on the night. It was her second multi-hit game of the season and her first game with multiple extra base hits.
The Tigers scored a run in the third inning without the aid of a hit. They would extend the lead and add four more in the fourth.
Carolina’s best opportunity for a run came in third. Byars doubled to lead off the inning and Shae Anderson followed with a bunt single. A double play on a potential sacrifice fly ended the rally.
Emma Friedel (8-4) took the loss, allowing one run on no hits in 3 1-3 innings. She struck out six and walked three.
The rubber game of the series will be tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
Audi Crooks on being in the transfer portal
USAT’s Sam Cardona-Norberg catches up with college basketball star Audi Crooks, who is still looking for her next team.
Sports Seriously
Jordan Lee entered the transfer portal after a breakout season at Texas and the junior guard isn’t going too far. She’s staying in the Southeastern Conference.
Lee announced on Instagram Friday that she’s transferring to South Carolina to play for Dawn Staley after spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Texas under Vic Schaefer. Lee captioned her Instagram post, which featured a video montage of her visit to Columbia, South Carolina, “Feeling cocky.”
Lee was one of four players from Texas to enter the transfer portal after the Longhorns’ second consecutive trip to the Final Four ended in a devastating loss to UCLA. She was named to the All-Region team in the Fort Worth 3 bracket in this year’s NCAA Tournament following her Sweet 16 and Elite Eight performance, where she recorded 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals while also providing strong defense.
After being limited to five starts her freshman year, Lee slid into the starting lineup last season and started a career-high 38 games. She also averaged career highs in points (13.2), assists (2.5), rebounds (2.5), steals (1.5), field-goal percentage (42%) and free-throw percentage (75%), while shooting 34% from 3-point range.
Texas’ Aaliyah Crump, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Moore also entered the transfer portal. On Friday, Crump announced she’s transferring to Duke, citing her connection with head coach Kara Lawson.
“For me, choosing Duke University goes far beyond one sentence. The moment I connected with Kara Lawson and her coaching staff, I knew I was exactly where I belonged,” said Crump, who averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game her freshman season at Texas.
Crump continued: “Their dedication and vision for the program is truly special, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it. The connection Coach Lawson and I have built is one of a kind, and I fully trust in her plan for the success of this program. I can’t wait to be coached by genuine people who support my growth not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well.”
Three-time All-American Madison Booker and junior starting forward Breya Cunningham are expected to return to Texas.
Contributing: Mitchell Northam
Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at @CydHenderson.
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