More than 150 people were ejected from Williams-Brice Stadium during Thursday’s game against UNC, according to the USC Division of Law Enforcement and Safety.
Authorities removed 151 people, and 16 were arrested on charges largely consisting of being in the student section without a wristband, possessing and attempting to conceal alcohol in the stadium and disorderly conduct, Cpl. Vinny Bocchino said in an email. The total number of ejections and arrests included both students and non-students.
USC police would not release an itemized lists of offenses, saying they could be misleading.
“One person could be ejected for no wristband, alcohol possession and disorderly conduct, but it only counts as one ejection,” Bocchino said.
Last year’s home opener against ECU saw 82 total violations. While this year saw more at the Gamecocks’ first game, this year’s was on a Thursday night, while last year’s was on a hot Saturday afternoon.
“The heat-related illnesses and the fact that many of the fans left the game early affected those numbers,” Bocchino said.