South Carolina students, fans storm field after upset against Texas A&M

The clock ran out, the score was 44-22 and fans began to run towards the field to celebrate South Carolina's win against then-No. 10 Texas A&M. 

The Gamecocks' victory marked a significant milestone as it was the team's first win against a top 10 opponent since it achieved back-to-back upsets over Tennessee and Clemson in the final two weeks of the 2022 regular season.

“I had no doubt that they were going to come out and perform and compete," first-year visual communications student Connor Salvesen said. "I did not expect them to win the way they did."

While fans may have had different outlooks heading into the game that weekend, they knew the Gamecocks would not be defeated without a fight.

“Never doubt this school and what we are capable of,” second-year pre-nursing student Dayna Chappell said. 

Throughout the game, the student section was a sea of garnet and black, as thousands of fans filled a sold-out Williams-Brice. 

As the Gamecocks battled it out against the Aggies, the student section was a constant source of motivation, first-year electrical engineering student Evan Maluszczak said.

“Everyone was yelling, cheering," Maluszczak said. "And when we scored everyone was just screaming, all excited, happy and rowdy."

Even though everyone rushed the field together, everyone’s experiences was different. Whether you were the very first person or the very last person to get onto the field, everyone gained an experience to remember.

"Storming the field was awesome. I was in the front so I looked back and it like a wave," first-year real estate student Todd Foster said. 

Some students left the stadium with physical gifts from the players and the coaching staff. 

“I ended up getting a few play call sheets .... and a buddy of mine got a towel from Nyck Harbor,” first-year computer science student Christopher Feuchter said.

Students had to truck through the hedges when storming the field, and as the hedges wore away, some students took advantage of the situation and took branches to keep as physical trinkets.

“That branch that I took home, I’m keeping that thing forever,” first-year finance student Carson Jones said.

Other students took memorable photos and videos with the players after the game.

These photos don’t just bring joy to the students, but bring joy to the other Gamecock fans and potential new freshman who can live the experience through these videos and pictures, said first-year undeclared student Ava Hoecht.  

“I got to meet LaNorris Sellers, I was super excited. My grandpa was even more excited that I sent him a photo,” first-year neuroscience student Kate Reed said.

For some students, it was clear that meeting the players and coaching staff after a huge upset was a victory in itself. 

“Storming the field was an experience I’ll never forget, especially meeting players who seem like celebrities.” first-year pre-business student Noelle Klasnick said. 

Experiences like that are etched in the memories of college students, becoming an unforgettable part of their collegiate journey, Maluszczak said. 

"Even though it was chaotic, and somewhat dangerous, it is something I’ll look back on for the rest of my life," Maluszczak said. 

After enduring a string of losses to ranked opponents, first-year finance student Brad Gray seized the moment to rush the field, determined to create an unforgettable experience, knowing that opportunities like this might be few and far between.

“If I never got to experience this for a second time, I’d be okay knowing that I was able to do it once,”  Gray said. 

What’s next? 

Catch the Gamecocks in the gridiron against yet another ranked opponent, the No. 24 Missouri Tigers, at Williams-Brice Stadium on Nov. 16 at 4:15 p.m.