South Carolina and Virginia Tech a once-spirited rivalry - On3

Alan Piercy explores the historical football rivalry between South Carolina and Virginia Tech in his newsletter "South By Southeast," examining memorable matchups from their shared past spanning over a century.

The two programs first met in 1905 and maintained a competitive relationship as conference rivals in the Southern Conference and later as football independents. Their rivalry was particularly significant during the 1980s and early 1990s when both schools sought conference stability. Piercy highlights key games including the 1934 stadium opener, the 1969 ACC championship season victory, and the dramatic 1990 comeback win that occurred during South Carolina's successful pursuit of SEC membership.

Key highlights from their rivalry include:

• South Carolina holds an 11-7-2 advantage across 20 meetings between 1905-1991
• The 1969 contest featured future NFL players and helped Carolina's only outright conference championship team
• The 1990 victory came during crucial SEC expansion talks that changed USC's athletic destiny
• Both programs will renew their rivalry in 2025 at the Aflac Kickoff Game in Atlanta after a 33-year hiatus

The article provides rich historical context about college football's evolution, conference realignment, and the family connection between current South Carolina coach Shane Beamer and legendary Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer.