South Carolina’s Late Surge Continues After Strong Win Against Texas A&M
South Carolina is back at it again this November, making a late push under head coach Shane Beamer. The Gamecocks have shown a knack for finishing strong, and this year is no different.
With a record of 5-3, including 3 wins against Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponents, the Gamecocks have been on a roll. In Beamer’s inaugural 2021 season, they pulled off impressive victories against SEC giants like Florida and Auburn, and even wrapped up the season with a win over North Carolina in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Last year, they took it further by defeating two Top 10 teams in back-to-back weeks, toppling No. 5 Tennessee and No. 8 Clemson, both denying them playoff hopes.
Now, South Carolina appears determined to continue this trend, recently achieving a significant victory against 10th-ranked Texas A&M with a score of 44-20. This follows their impressive win over Oklahoma, showcasing their potential as a competitive force in the SEC.
Coach Beamer has always emphasized the importance of growth throughout the season. “I tell the players every year that it would be a shame if we’re the same team in September that we are in November,” he stated. And it seems the Gamecocks are taking that to heart, as they prepare to face No. 24 Vanderbilt next.
Despite earlier struggles, including a tough 27-3 defeat to then-ranked Ole Miss, the team has bounced back, winning two straight SEC games. Offensive lineman Cason Henry felt the momentum in their last game, saying, “We were rolling. We were blowing them off the ball as the game went on.”
As of now, South Carolina ranks fifth in the SEC for the least yards allowed. Key players like edge rushers Kyle Kennard and Dylan Stewart have contributed significantly, combining for 14 sacks this season, with Kennard leading the SEC.
Sophomore quarterback LaNorris Sellers has stepped up, averaging 223 yards per game and accounting for 350 yards and three touchdowns against Texas A&M.
The Gamecocks attribute their recent success to a consistent and rigorous approach to training. They maintain the same intensity throughout the season, regardless of the opponent.
“Week by week, we don’t lighten up,” defensive tackle Alex Huntley shared. “We keep going the same way.”
This season has presented its challenges, with close losses to teams like LSU and Alabama. In those games, South Carolina led at crucial moments but fell short. These experiences have fueled their determination moving forward.
Linebacker Debo Williams acknowledges the importance of these setbacks, admitting, “You don’t want to dwell on the past… but it’s made us even hungrier.”
Cason Henry believes those early losses were beneficial for the team. “I think we needed those losses. It was healthy for us to lose like that early in the season so we could put it all together in the back half,” he said.
As the Gamecocks continue their journey, they’ll look to build on their recent success and keep the momentum going as they enter the final stretch of the season.
