South Carolina football: 4 bold predictions for season opener

Bold predictions for South Carolina football

South Carolina scores a touchdown on special teams

Beamer Ball has officially arrived in Columbia, and the South Carolina football team is hoping to make a major impact in the return game this season. The Gamecocks have finished near the bottom of the pack in terms of return yards each of the last two seasons after losing Deebo Samuel to the NFL back in 2018.

Beamer’s father, Frank, used special teams as a key component during his Hall of Fame career at Virginia Tech, cashing in on blocked kicks, returns, and trick plays. The Gamecocks have some playmakers in the special teams group, most notably Dakereon Joyner and Juju McDowell. Both should get a look in the return game. Joyner, in particular, will be called upon after averaging nearly 24 yards per kick return for the Gamecocks last season. He recorded a long return of 52 yards in the season finale against Kentucky.

The Gamecocks haven’t scored a touchdown on special teams in over two years. It seems like it’s been about that long since the Gamecocks blocked a kick, too. This year will end those streaks, and it could come as soon as week one. Look for this group to be a major area of emphasis with Shane Beamer and Pete Lembo leading the charge.