Columbia, S.C. ? “Pops” Frisby finally made his college football debut — at the age of 39.

Tim Frisby, the Army veteran who is a walk-on receiver for South Carolina, went in for the Gamecocks’ final three plays in Saturday’s 17-7 victory over Troy.

Frisby got a loud cheer from the crowd of 79,700 at Williams-Brice Stadium, then lined up by himself wide to the right as the Gamecocks ran three times through the middle to finish things off. When it ended, he was congratulated by teammates and coaches.

The NCAA gave Frisby, a 20-year Army vet who retired this summer, clearance to play for the Gamecocks this week. Eligibility questions from his time at two Allentown, Pa., high schools kept him on the sideline for games against Georgia and South Florida.

Frisby was among five Gamecocks who led the rest of the team in pre-game calisthenics Saturday. He raised his helmet to the sky like his teammates during the opening kickoff. Then he stood on the sideline and watched, until making his debut at the end.