South Carolina is expected to have its best pass rusher back today. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reported that edge Dylan Stewart is “on track to return and play for the Gamecocks at No. 16 Florida” after serving a one-game suspension, as reported by ClutchPoints. Kickoff in Gainesville is set for 12:45 p.m. ET.
Stewart was suspended for throwing a punch at an opponent during the 49-18 loss at then-No. 8 Alabama on Sept. 26, and he also got into it with head coach Shane Beamer. Without him, the Gamecocks dropped a 35-34 heartbreaker at home to then-No. 24 Kentucky. That makes three straight losses heading into the Swamp.
On the other side, Florida (4-1) is coming off a 45-17 beatdown at Missouri, its first loss of the year. Receiver Vernell Brown III missed that game with a knee injury. Thamel reported Brown practiced, including team reps, but is “still not 100-percent and will be a game-time decision,” per ClutchPoints. Before the injury he had 17 catches for 271 yards and two touchdowns in four games.
The IAHHM Take
This is a gut-check game for Carolina. Stewart piled up 11 sacks and 56 tackles over his first two seasons and was talked about as a possible top-10 pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. This year has been rough: no sacks and one tackle through two games, then the suspension. A big day against a Florida team that just got embarrassed would change the whole conversation, for him and for Beamer.
Florida’s offense looks very different with Brown on the field, so his status could swing this one. If Stewart is locked in and Brown is limited, the Gamecocks have a real shot to end the skid on the road.
Gamecock fans, real talk: is today the day the season turns around, or is Gainesville another long afternoon? Let us hear it.
More college football: IAHHM Sports.
Source: ClutchPoints | ClutchPoints
