College football kicked off at 6 pm on Thursday, September 3 at the Bank of America Stadium, home of the Carolina Panthers.
The University of South Carolina faced off against the University of North Carolina with high hopes for the new season. With a supposedly better defense than last season’s line up and a hopeful new quarterback, South Carolina fans were looking up.
Hannah Davis, Holden Curtis, Amanda Fairbairn, Bailey Grace Poe, Audra Newton and Lizzie Deloach get ready for the game
After a disappointingly close game, the Gamecocks pulled out a win with a score of 17-13.
Since the game was in Charlotte, not all USC students could get tickets and make it up to support the Cocks. However, watching the game from Columbia could never defeat Carolina pride.
Walking around campus on game day was a sea of garnet and black. The same went for game night at local bars and restaurants in Five Points and in the Vista.
“Probably about 5 p.m. we were pretty full,” described Hickory Tavern’s manager Andrew Babcock. “We were full the whole time and luckily for us, [but] unfortunately it wasn’t a higher scoring game for South Carolina; but the game staying close and then pulling out the win towards the end there, that’s definitely what captured the audience throughout the whole game.”
Hickory Tavern was fortunate in being featured on ESPN during the live broadcast. Fans were shown cheering on the Gamecocks while enjoying food and drinks.
Another restaurant that was featured on ESPN was The Salty Nut in Five Points: “They basically came and asked if they could film us and they set up three different cameras. They had one on the deck, at the bar, and in the dining room,” recalls manager Phil Hopewell.
Erica Roy and Abbey Hill Caswell watch the game at The Salty Nut
Popular pizza bar, The Village Idiot, also had a big turn out for the game.
“We were already packed out an hour before kick off. Right around half time some tables left and they were filled right away,” says kitchen manager Zachary James.
Bars and restaurants were not the only place to enjoy the football game. Some people watched from the comfort of their homes, apartments, or dorms. Meanwhile some students went to the Russell House viewing party, which had refreshments and was also featured on ESPN.
Caroline Auzenbergs, Caitlyn Coyle, and Allie Santorum goofing off before kick off.
Luckily for USC, this week’s game will be at home on Saturday against the University of Kentucky at 7:30 p.m. Make sure to come out and support the Gamecocks!