VU-SC game TV ratings hit

ESPN's most watched Thursday opener since 1994

Sept. 3, 2012

The Vanderbilt - South Carolina game last Thursday night notched superb national television ratings for ESPN.

According to ESPN officials, the Vanderbilt - South Carolina game was the network's most watched Thursday night opener for college football since 1994. More than 4.1 million viewers watched the Commodores and Gamecocks play in renovated Vanderbilt Stadium.

The matchup also delivered a 3.0 national rating for ESPN. In terms of pure television ratings, it marked ESPN's highest rated Thursday night opener since Virginia and Auburn squared off in 1998.

The early-season Southeastern Conference East Division game matched an improving Vanderbilt squad directed by second-year Head Coach James Franklin against the No. 9-ranked Gamecocks coached by Steve Spurrier.

The Commodores make their first road trip of the season this Saturday, journeying to the Chicago area to face Big Ten member Northwestern. The Wildcats captured their season opener in exciting fashion, coming from behind to win 42-41 at Syracuse.