South Carolina to play Virginia in Belk Bowl in Charlotte

After finishing off a 7-5 season with a 28-3 win over Akron, South Carolina’s attention shifted to preparing for its third straight bowl appearance. As it turns out, Gamecock fans won’t have far to go to see their team in the postseason.

On Sunday, it was announced that the Gamecocks will play in the Belk Bowl against the Virginia Cavaliers. The Cavaliers bring a identical 7-5 record into the contest, which is set for Saturday, December 29 at noon on ESPN.

South Carolina will be looking to extend its postseason winning streak to two games in a row. Last year, it was matched up in the Outback Bowl against Michigan, a game it won 26-19 on the strength of a 23-point comeback after trailing 19-3 with 5:42 left in the third quarter.

While it’s not South Carolina’s first time at Bank of America Stadium - it’s opened the season there in 2013, 2015 and 2017 and will do so again in 2019 - it’s the first time the program’s ever appeared in the Belk Bowl. Of note: it’s a perfect 3-0 in the Queen City, and are 23-13-1 all time against the Cavs. The teams’ last meeting was a 31-7 South Carolina win at Williams-Brice Stadium in 2003.