It is clear that Shane Beamer has built a great culture within the South Carolina football program and it is seen every time his team takes the field, or Beamer talks during a press conference.
As the Gamecocks get ready to take on No. 20 Illinois, both Beamer and Illinois head coach Bret Bielema took to the press conference stand to speak about the upcoming matchup.
Beamer was asked an interesting question about what a win in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl would mean for South Carolina when it comes to the 2025 season, and Beamer's answer truly showed how much he cares for the players in the building now and isn't focused on the 2025 season just yet.
"To me, it's more about finishing the season the right way," Beamer said during the press conference. "Having a chance to win 10 games and send these seniors out the right way."
Shane Beamer was asked a really interesting question about how winning the Citrus Bowl can set them up for preseason rankings in 2025, which then set up narratives surrounding the team:
— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) December 30, 2024
"To me, it's more about finishing this season the right way."@GamecockFB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/6zi1pHrVtJ
The Gamecocks have a lot of seniors on this 2024 roster who will be moving on after the bowl game, either to the working world or to the NFL. Beamer wants to send them out of the building on top, especially if it is their final game in a South Carolina uniform.
Of course, Beamer still believes getting a win in this game could be a huge momentum-wise heading into the 2025 season. The Gamecocks may be losing a lot of older guys, but they are also returning a lot of young guys that got a lot of playing time and experience this season. The fourth-year head coach believes this is just the beginning for South Carolina and even alluded to the potential the Gamecocks have next season.
"Looking at our roster, you know we are going to be preseason picked, I would imagine somewhere fairly high just with who we have coming back and the young men coming into the program," Beamer said.
The Gamecocks will take the field at 3:00 p.m. EST tomorrow against No. 20 Illinois in the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl on ABC and can be streamed on FuboTV with a valid subscription.