New South Carolina Lineup Makes Big Season Opening Win Over Virginia Tech

South Carolina beat Virginia Tech 24-11 in their season opener Sunday. New faces made their mark as the team blended transfers with first-year talent.

The squad debuted 15 true freshmen and 18 transfers on the field in Atlanta. Three first-year pass catchers stepped into action — Donovan Murph, Brian Rowe Jr., and Jayden Sellers.

At just 17, Murph skipped his final high school term at Irmo to enroll early at USC. He caught a 21-yard pass on a slant run on Sunday.

"I feel like they did an amazing job just getting lined up, urgency, knowing where they're at," junior receiver Nyck Harbor said per The State. "This is the first time they played with all these people in the crowd. I feel like they did amazing."

The defensive unit got a boost from its new additions. Brandon Cisse stood out with two deflected passes and four stops. Shawn Murphy and Justin Okoronkwo, fresh from Alabama, matched that tackle count.

When Judge Collier went down early, Ball State transfer Myles Norwood stepped up. In the ground game, former Utah State back Rahsul Faison split time with Oscar Adaway. Faison burst free for a 30-yard dash, part of his 40-yard total.

First-year special team's Max Kelley took control of kickoff duties after joining this summer. He booted five kicks, sending one deep into the end zone. Mason Love handled punts while William Joyce took care of field goals.

"We're sitting on the plane yesterday and I'm watching Alabama-Florida State, and I'm looking across the aisle, and there's Sean Murphy and J.O., who were playing for Alabama and Florida State last year. It was 'Twilight Zone,'" head coach Shane Beamer said to The State. "We'll continue to get better overall."