What Shane Beamer said about new injuries, South Carolina’s win over Furman
The Gamecocks are in their best-case scenario situation — at least the best case after starting Week 1 with a loss.
Now 1-1, South Carolina has regained a bit of confidence with a dominant 47-21 win over Furman. Head coach Shane Beamer shared his initial thoughts on the game minutes following the final whistle.
Injury updates
Another group of players went down with injuries, including wide receiver Ahmarean Brown and defensive back Keenan Nelson Jr., both of whom didn’t return for the second half of Saturday’s game. Beamer said Brown’s injury was a hamstring, and Nelson’s an upper body injury, but said there weren’t any major concerns for those two.
Beamer said Brown “wanted to go back in. It didn’t feel right putting him in the game.” Other injuries include an undisclosed injury to running back Bradley Dunn on special teams, and a wrist injury to offensive lineman JonDarius Morgan. Morgan’s timeline is unknown.
End of halves were hot and cold
Beamer said those final plays leading into halftime were massively important for the team’s confidence. The Gamecocks scored two touchdowns and forced a three-and-out on defense all within two minutes. It was a moment that blew the game open.
Some disappointment
On the other hand, Beamer said he was “really disappointed” in the final moments of the game, including a lost fumble and a holding penalty. The fumble recovery led to the Paladins’ final touchdown of the night.
“Really disappointed with the way we finished the game. That’s bull crap. we haven’t had a turnover all season and we go in there and we turn the ball over look bad doing it.
“We get a holding penalty on a naked — I don’t know if I’ve seen that where you’re literally it’s a naked boot. You’re just running to the right and then booting to the left and we get a holding pen. That’s hard to do.
“And then to give up a touchdown ... We emptied the sideline, everybody played for the most part. But still, when those guys go, in they’re expected to perform. Disappointed in that.”
A ‘perfect’ response
After a frustrating game against UNC in Week 1, Beamer said he was pleased with how the team came into the home opener and the numbers the Gamecocks put up (571 yards of offense). He mentioned that starting players responded well, as did the young players who experienced their first home games.
Beamer said he spoke to a few freshmen after their first “2001” entrance, joking that managing the early emotions is the “hardest part” of playing at home. But overall, the Gamecocks leader called the performance a “perfect” response to the adversity faced just a week ago. Now, Beamer said the pace will have to pick up before traveling to Athens, Georgia next week to face the No. 1 UGA Bulldogs.
