COLUMBIA, S.C. — Gamecock fans heading to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia on Saturday will find every gate open at 1 p.m., two hours before the 3 p.m. kickoff as the 21st-ranked Gamecocks host Texas A&M.
The usual window is 90 minutes. The university made the change after the Oct. 24 home game against Tennessee, when entry backed up badly as upward of 40,000 people showed up in the last 30 minutes before the game.
Earlier this season only some gates opened two hours out, with the rest following half an hour later. Renovation work at the stadium has also kept certain gates shut, and fans are now assigned to specific entrances.
USC is adding 22 more ticket scanners and magnetometers at key gates. The school moved to all-digital tickets this year and has urged fans to load them into phone wallets before game day.
To draw people in early, many concessions will be half price from 1 to 2 p.m., and 12-ounce Coors Light and Miller Lite will sell for $5 in that hour. The athletic department is asking fans to be at the gates by 2 p.m. Only one other home game remains, against No. 2 Georgia on Nov. 21.
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