Juiius Wilkerson Gaffney’s Julius Wilkerson has fond memories of his visit to Williams-Brice Stadium in 2006 when the Indians rallied to beat Summerville for the Class 4A Division I state championship. He’s hoping Saturday’s trip will be just as memorable.

Wilkerson and his South Carolina State Bulldogs face South Carolina Saturday evening in Columbia. The Bulldogs will be huge underdogs to the Gamecocks, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t relishing the challenge of competing against a SEC team.

“It’s something we are looking forward to,” Wilkerson said.

It appeared Wilkerson would play the Gamecocks on a regular basis when he verbally committed to the Clemson Tigers. But he parted ways with Clemson and signed with South Carolina State. But things have fallen into place for the 6-4, 225 lb. linebacker at South Carolina State.

“Everything has worked out for me,” he said.

Wilkerson played on special teams as a freshman before moving into a reserve linebacker spot as a sophomore.

Wilkerson said the biggest adjustment from high school to college has been the speed of the athletes.

“The players are bigger and faster and the game is more up-tempo,” he said. “You have to know what to do at all times. If you make a mistake, (the opponent) can turn it into a big play.”

Wilkerson began this season as the starting outside linebacker but has switched inside because of injuries. Since the move, he hasn’t missed a beat - or a tackle.

In the victory over Winston-Salem State on Saturday, Wilkerson has four solos, three assists and a half of a sack. A week earlier he had 8.5 tackles and a sack.

With the switch comes more responsibility, according to Wilkerson.

“I’m starting at inside linebacker now and now I have to make most of the (defensive) calls,” he said. “You also see a lot more action.”

Wilkerson expects to see plenty of action Saturday against the run-oriented Gamecocks.

“I expect them to try to run it down our throats,” he said.

Wilkerson and former Gaffney High great Malcolm Long were friends in high school. That bond is even closer now that they share a dorm room at South Carolina State.

Both Long and Wilkerson want to share another thing - a win over the Gamecocks.

“We want to just play hard and show that we can play with them,” Wilkerson said.