The South Carolina football team (2-1) will travel to Columbia, Missouri to face the No. 23 Missouri Tigers (3-0) in its second SEC matchup of the 2025 season.
The Gamecocks enter the matchup looking to bounce back after a 31-7 loss to the No. 20 Vanderbilt Commodores in its first loss of the season. The loss exposed major offensive struggles, as South Carolina's lone touchdown came from graduate running back Rahsul Faison, while redshirt quarterback LaNorris Sellers exited the game in the second quarter due to injury, and the passing game never found its rhythm.
Costly turnovers and missed opportunities allowed Vanderbilt to pull away, leaving the Gamecocks searching for answers on both sides. Graduate quarterback Luke Doty stepped in for the remainder of the game, finishing 18-of-27 for 148 yards but unable to spark a stagnant offense that managed just one touchdown in the first half. With Sellers's status moving forward still uncertain, South Carolina faces added pressure at the quarterback position heading into its second SEC game.
Missouri, meanwhile, enters the game on the heels of a strong non-conference win against Louisiana-Lafayette and looks to keep the momentum rolling in SEC play. Behind Penn State transfer graduate quarterback Beau Pribula, the Tigers has continued its rise under head coach Eliah Drinkwitz, who has led Missouri to back-to-back bowl games. Missouri's offense has taken a step forward since the 2024 season with the additions of Louisiana-Monroe transfer sophomore running back Ahmad Hardy and Mississippi State transfer senior wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr.
"They're (Missouri) operating at a really, really high level, offensively right now," head coach Shane Beamer said. "It'll really make it a challenge on teams to defend."
For South Carolina, much of the focus will be on establishing rhythm offensively. Faison has emerged as a reliable option in the backfield, averaging 5.8 yards per rush through three games, but with Sellers sidelined, the Gamecocks' passing attack has struggled to find consistency.
The offensive line has been inconsistent in protection, and the receivers have yet to establish themselves as playmakers in-game. The Gamecocks have allowed 8 sacks this season, pointing to ongoing issues along the offensive line while the receivers have yet to produce a standout performance.
Despite having a standout receiver in junior wide receiver Nyck Harbor, the Gamecocks have only managed 7.9 yards per passing attempt this season. Against a Missouri team averaging more than 30 points per game this season, South Carolina will need to find balance quickly and generate big plays to avoid falling behind early.
"Anybody we play in this league is going to be a challenge," Doty said.
Defensively, South Carolina has shown flashes of strength, allowing only 21 total points in the first two games, demonstrating the potential of a unit than can disrupt opposing offenses. However, the Vanderbilt loss exposed weak points in communication and discipline, particularly in the secondary, allowing opponents to convert 66.7% of their fourth downs and 193 opponent passing yards that extended drives. South Carolina will need improved discipline against a Missouri team that has converted 62.2% of its third downs this season.
"We're really not trying to think about the challenges, we just always want to go into the game and just trust our game plan, trust the coaches as players, and just go out there and play fast and physical," senior edge Bryan Thomas Jr. said.
Special teams could also play a key role. Redshirt sophomore defensive back Vicari Swain has already made a national splash this season with three punt return touchdowns, with a total of 198 yards on punt returns. His ability to flip field position could be crucial against a high-powered Missouri offense, providing one of the few consistent bright spots in a Gamecocks team that has yet to find its rhythm offensively.
What's next?
The South Carolina football team (2-1, 0-1 SEC) will play the No. 23 Missouri Tigers (3-0, 0-0 SEC) on Sept 20. on Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Missouri. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. and will be broadcast on SEC Network.