South Carolina vs. South Carolina State Rescheduled Because of Hurricane Ian Concern
Sep 27, 2022
FAYETTEVILLE, AR - SEPTEMBER 10: A South Carolina Gamecocks helmet during the college football game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and Arkansas Razorbacks on September 10, 2022, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas. (Photo by Andy Altenburger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
South Carolina football will face South Carolina State two days earlier in an attempt to avoid Hurricane Ian, according to Alex Scarborough of ESPN.
The game was initially scheduled for Saturday at noon E.T., but it will now be played on Thursday at 7 p.m. ET.
"Due to the potential impact of the hurricane on Columbia and the surrounding area, it is in the best interest of safety to play the game on Thursday rather than Saturday afternoon," South Carolina athletic director Ray Tanner said in a statement.
Hurricane Ian is projected to make landfall in Tampa Bay, Florida, on Wednesday night into Thursday morning, with 2.5 million people in Florida already under evacuation orders, per ABC News.
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers moved from their practice facility on Tuesday and will spend time at the Miami Dolphins' facility in South Florida. The Buccaneers are set to host the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday night, but the game could be moved if necessary.
The storm could travel up the coast after making landfall, with the South Carolina Emergency Management Division urging residents to monitor the situation.
The University of South Carolina is looking to avoid any complications later in the week by adjusting its schedule against the in-state opponent.
"Based on the current forecast and expected weather conditions as well as information from our campus, state and local law enforcement agencies, at this time, the University is confident in our ability to host the game on Thursday at Williams-Brice Stadium."
South Carolina is 2-2 so far this season, losing both of its SEC games but easily beating Georgia State and Charlotte in the nonconference slate. South Carolina State in 1-2 to begin the year, with the Bulldogs preparing to play their fourth straight road game to open 2022.
Deion Sanders, Jackson State Upset by South Carolina State in Celebration Bowl
Dec 18, 2021
Jackson State head coach Deion Sanders walks the field during an NCAA football game against Louisiana Monroe on Saturday, Sept. 18, 2021, in Monroe, La. (AP Photo/Matthew Hinton)
Jackson State's historic 2021 season ended on a sour note with a 31-10 loss to South Carolina State in the Celebration Bowl on Saturday.
South Carolina State was playing in its first bowl game since 1997. The win is the program's first postseason victory since the 1994 Heritage Bowl against Grambling State.
The Tigers won a school-record 11 games during the regular season and won the Southwestern Athletic Conference title for the first time since 2007.
Head coach Deion Sanders started this week on a high note by flipping cornerback Travis Hunter, the top overall recruit in the 2022 class, from Florida State to Jackson State.
That momentum seemed like it was going to carry over into the Celebration Bowl. Shedeur Sanders hit Keith Corbin III for a seven-yard touchdown catch that helped give the Tigers a 7-0 lead midway through the first quarter.
South Carolina State responded by scoring 24 unanswered points in the second and third quarters to take a 17-point lead.
Sloppy play by Jackson State aided the Bulldogs' scoring run. Their four scoring drives, including three touchdowns, only gained a total of 76 yards. The first touchdown came after Sanders lost the ball after Patrick Godbolt sacked him at his own 8-yard line.
Shaquan Davis scored the first touchdown for South Carolina State and paid homage to Deion Sanders by doing the "Prime Time" dance in the end zone.
Shedeur Sanders, who finished 16-of-36 for 175 yards, had all three Jackson State turnovers in the loss. He threw two interceptions deep in his own territory in the second half that led to 14 points for South Carolina State.
The freshman quarterback entered the game with just four interceptions in 11 games all season.
South Carolina State's defense was dominant in all phases. The unit held the Tigers to 19 yards rushing on 29 carries.
The Jackson State defense did its best given the circumstances the offense put it into. South Carolina State had just 268 total yards and averaged 2.8 yards per rush on 37 carries.
Quarterback Corey Fields Jr. finished 12-of-31 for 166 yards, but he threw four touchdowns.
Despite the bitter end to this season, Sanders has Jackson State trending in the right direction. He won 11 games in just his second season with the program and is getting high-level recruits to come play for him.
