Gamecock Fans Enraged but Proud: Reflecting on the 2024 Football Season and a Hard-Fought Cheez-It Bowl

The 2024 South Carolina Gamecocks football season was a rollercoaster of emotions, culminating in a dramatic Cheez-It Bowl that left fans simultaneously furious at missed opportunities but proud of their team’s effort.

Ole Miss v South Carolina
Ole Miss v South Carolina | Jacob Kupferman/GettyImages

Highs That Made Us Believe

Heading into the 2024 season, all eyes were on LaNorris Sellers, the young quarterback stepping into the spotlight. Sellers didn’t just meet expectations the 2024 season, he smashed those expectations. His cannon of an arm, coupled with his dual-threat capability, electrified Williams-Brice Stadium week after week. It seemed like as soon as the glasses came off and contacts went in... it was clear: South Carolina had found its quarterback of the future. Sellers quickly became a symbol of potential and grit, the raw talent that kept the Gamecocks alive in every game. Sellers ended the season as one of the nation’s most exciting young quarterbacks, but it wasn’t just his talent that stood out—it was the heart he displayed. Sellers played beyond his years, giving fans glimpses of what the program could become with him at the helm.

Lows That Tested Our Resolve

The Cheez-It Bowl showcased everything great—and frustrating—about this team. And of course, the officiating didn’t help matters, leaving Beamer raging on the sidelines—a moment that perfectly encapsulated the Gamecocks’ frustration. Yet even in defeat, fans rallied around their team’s fight.
Gamecock Nation erupted on social media during the bowl game, expressing a deep, emotional connection to this team.

A Fire That Burns Brighter for 2025

While the losses sting, this season wasn’t defined by defeats—going 9-4 with a tough schedule, it was defined by resilience, growth, and moments that brought fans to their feet. Shane Beamer, with his unrelenting passion and unwavering belief in this program, continues to galvanize the South Carolina faithful. “I love these kids. I love this team. And I love this program. We’re building something special,” Beamer said in his tearful postgame remarks. “Next year, we come back stronger.” And with LaNorris Sellers leading the charge, surrounded by a roster that’s battle-tested and brimming with potential, it feels like Beamer’s words are more than just optimism—they’re a promise.

While Gamecock fans left this season with a mix of frustration and pride, the memories of hard-fought plays and emotional wins, paired with a burning determination to finish stronger next time, will fuel a program and fanbase alike.

As the garnet and black prepare for 2025, one sentiment rings true: This team embodies heart, and this program is far from finished. Cocks by 90!!

Schedule

Schedule