South Carolina (1-0) vs East Carolina (0-1)

When: Saturday, Sept 11, 2021 - Noon ET

Where: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium - Greenville, NC (50,000)

Broadcast: ESPN2 (Brian Custer, Kelly Stouffer, Lauren Sisler)

Local Radio: Gamecock IMG Sports Network (Todd Ellis, Tommy Suggs, Jamar Nesbit)

Satellite Radio: Sirius 134/XM 190

Odds: South Carolina -2 (O/U 56.5)

Weather: 78 degrees, 0% chance of rain

Week 2 is officially here as South Carolina travels to East Carolina this Saturday for its first road game of the season.

The Gamecocks (1-0) and Pirates (0-1) are set to kick off at 12 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

That makes for an easier viewing experience as ESPN2 is available on all the major satellite, cable and streaming services and usually as part of the basic package. Check your local listings for the specific channel.

There are options to stream the game, including once again on the ESPN app, but viewers will need to be logged in within the app with a TV provider and package that already includes ESPN2.

ESPN2 is available on all the major streaming TV providers such as YouTubeTV, Hulu Live, DirecTV Stream, FuboTV and SlingTV (orange package).

Brian Custer will handle play-by-play duties from the booth where he will be joined by former Colorado State standout Kelly Stouffer with Lauren Sisler patrolling the sidelines.

Todd Ellis and Tommy Suggs will handle the call for the Gamecock Radio Network with Jamar Nesbit on the sidelines. Check for your local radio affiliates at this link.

Coverage from South Carolina vs East Carolina Week:

Final thoughts on Gamecocks vs. ECU

Breaking down the keys: South Carolina vs. East Carolina

Brad Johnson's improvement impressing Clayton White

Gamecocks think first-half run issues are easily fixable

Beamer updates status for Doty, Harris, others

PFF preview: East Carolina

GC LIVE: Clip Brock of Pirate Radio joins

Vegas View: USC prediction, Week 2 picks

Gamecock coaches making sure players have 'healthy respect' for ECU

VIDEO: The GC Round Up, Ep. 5: Pirate Preview & Who's QB 1...Again?

Star power: How starters for Gamecocks, Pirates stacked up as recruits

Carolina Confidential - ECU Scouting Report

Updates: Wednesday's coordinator availability

Nick Jones provides look at Gamecocks' offense in first game

Sharrod Golightly gives insight into Gamecocks' defensive scheme

RECAP: Beamer previews East Carolina

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BATTLE OF CAROLINAS: This is the 20th gridiron matchup between South Carolina and East Carolina, with the Gamecocks holding a 14-5 advantage in the all-time series, including an 11-4 record when the games have been played in Columbia, a 2-1 mark when the game has been played in Greenville and a 1-0 mark at a neutral site (Charlotte in 2011). The schools met for the first time in 1977, then played in 11-straight seasons from 1984-94 and three more times in the ‘90s (‘96, ‘97 and ’99), before renewing the rivalry four times in the last decade (‘11, ‘12, ‘14 and ‘16). The Gamecocks came out victorious in each of the first eight meetings before ECU won five of the next seven. South Carolina has won each of the last four contests.

THEY CALL IT A STREAK: The Gamecocks have come out on the winning side in each of the last four meetings between the two schools, with East Carolina’s last win coming in the 1999 season, a 21-3 win in Columbia. Carolina has tallied at least 33 points in three of its last four wins.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET: Freshman Brandon McIlwain threw for 195 yards and rushed for two touchdowns in his first career start to lead the Gamecocks to a 20-15 win over East Carolina on Sept. 17, 2016 in Columbia. After not scoring in the first half in the season’s first two games, Carolina put 17 points on the board in the first seven minutes of the contest and made it stand up. The Pirates outgained the Gamecocks, 519-312 while running 91 plays to Carolina’s 53, but the Gamecocks won the turnover battle, 4-0, including three in the red zone, to preserve the win.

LIGHTING UP THE SCOREBOARD: It’s not uncommon for the scoreboard operator to stay busy when these two teams meet. In fact, two of the top five highest scoring games in South Carolina history have transpired when the Gamecocks and Pirates do battle. The 1994 game saw 98 total points scored in a 56-42 ECU win, then South Carolina returned the favor with a 56-37 win in the 2011 contest, which was played in Charlotte. The winning team has scored 31 or more points in 11 of the 19 meetings between the two schools. Here are the top combined scoring games in South Carolina history:

MOST POINTS COMBINED

1. 104 at Mississippi State (65-39), Oct. 14, 1995

2. 101 at Ole Miss (42-59), Nov. 14, 2020

3. 98 vs East Carolina (42-56), Oct. 8, 1994

4. 93 vs Troy (69-24), Nov. 20, 2010 93 vs East Carolina (56-37), Sept. 3, 2011

IT’S BEEN AWHILE: The Gamecocks are making their first trip to Greenville since the 1997 season, a 26-0 Carolina win, and just their second trip since the 1991 campaign, which is also the last time ECU defeated the Gamecocks in Greenville, a 31-20 decision.

OLD FRIEND ALERT: Matthew Symmes is now a senior defensive analyst for the Pirates. Symmes was a G.A. for the Gamecocks in 2016 and ‘17.

FOR OPENERS: East Carolina opened its season in Charlotte on Thursday, Sept. 2, dropping a 33- 19 decision to Appalachian State. Holton Ahlers completed 22-of-40 passes for 300 yards with two touchdowns and an interception for the Pirates.

CAROLINA VS. THE AAC: South Carolina owns a 32-17 record against the 11 teams that currently make up the American Athletic Conference. In addition to their 14-5 mark against ECU, the Gamecocks have also played Navy (5-3), UCF (5-0), Memphis (2-2), Houston (1-2), Tulane (0-3), Cincinnati (2-0), Temple (1-1), USF (1-1) and Tulsa (1-0). They have never faced SMU.

Collyn Taylor: This has the making of a close game early with the Gamecocks going on the road for the first time this season with a group of young players who’ve never played in front of a road crowd like this before. At the end of the day, South Carolina is more talented and the Gamecocks should be able to pull away late if the offensive line plays better and the offense is able to create some explosive plays. It might be tight in the third quarter, but South Carolina pulls away for a semi-comfortable win. South Carolina 27, East Carolina 16

Michael Sauls: I truly don't know what to expect. The performance against EIU was nice but we have to remember they are a subpar FCS team. ZaQuandre White leading the team in receiving yards is slightly concerning and more WRs need to get involved in order for the offense to be successful. The South Carolina defense should hold the Pirates but expect ECU to play its best game. South Carolina 24, East Carolina 17

Kendall Smith: Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium will be rocking as there is no doubt that this game has been circled on the schedule of Pirate fans for some time. But, with the help of a strong performance from South Carolina's defensive line, and Kevin Harris making a return to the field, South Carolina will come out on top. If South Carolina can remain focused and composed, the Gamecocks will start their 2021 campaign under Shane Beamer 2-0 before facing an extremely talented Georgia team next Saturday. South Carolina 27, East Carolina 17

Chris Clark: East Carolina is looking to rebound from a disappointing performance against App State in week one, and South Carolina's looking to improve its form as it faces stiffer competition this week. The biggest advantage either team has, in my mind, is on the South Carolina side with its defensive line against ECU's offensive front. That will need to be the difference in the game, and here's thinking that it is. South Carolina 27, East Carolina 21

Wes Mitchell: This is a strange matchup and weird one to try to predict, especially early in the season. While Vegas has had it really close, ESPN's FPI actually gives Carolina a 71 percent chance to win, which I find interesting. Ultimately, I think the Gamecocks' will have the advantage on the line of scrimmage and that will be the difference with the running back room having another big game. South Carolina 31, East Carolina 20

Michael Beckham: I don’t want to fall into the trap again, but I’m going to call the win anyway. They’ll win, but it won’t be an easy day in a raucous ECU environment. In the end, I think the Gamecocks get it done on the line of scrimmage. South Carolina 26, East Carolina 20

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