A storm delayed the start of the season opener at the Acrisure Bounce House, mirroring a sluggish first half where the local offense struggled to find its rhythm. Starting quarterback Cam Fancher was knocked out of the game early due to an injury, throwing a wrench into the game plan. The defense stepped up to keep the team afloat, highlighted by linebacker Keli Lawson blocking a 35-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the second quarter to send both teams into the locker room locked in a scoreless tie.

The second half began with Jacksonville State threatening an upset as they broke the defensive stalemate. After a field goal trading sequence left the game close, the Gamecocks took a 10-3 lead early in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard touchdown run by Andrew Paul. Facing adversity, backup quarterback Tayven Jackson took control of the huddle and immediately answered the challenge, engineering a quick seven-play drive that ended with a 39-yard touchdown pass to Dylan Wade to tie the score at 10-10.

Momentum fully shifted back to the home crowd as the defensive unit buckled down and forced a crucial turnover on downs on a fourth-and-short attempt in Knights territory. With just over a minute remaining in regulation, Jackson delivered the decisive blow by launching a 33-yard touchdown pass to DJ Black to take the lead. Defensive back Jayden Bellamy then intercepted a final desperation pass on the ensuing drive to secure the hard-fought 17-10 victory, marking the program's 10th consecutive win in a season opener.