COLUMBIA — They unveiled the new George Rogers statue Saturday afternoon, amid much pomp and anticipation. A mix of respect for Rogers’ 1980 Heisman Trophy season and lifetime contributions to South Carolina blended with excitement for the Gamecocks’ sold-out home opener against Kentucky.
By halftime, South Carolina trailed one of the SEC’s only other unranked teams by 17 points and the Gamecocks had lost starting quarterback Connor Mitch with a separated shoulder.
As the final seconds ticked off on Kentucky’s surprising 26-22 victory Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium, Wildcat fans chanted “Go Big Blue!