National reactions pour in after South Carolina’s 31-7 loss to Vanderbilt
Williams-Brice Stadium was packed to capacity on Saturday night, but by the time the clock hit zero, the stands told a different story. South Carolina's 16-game win streak over the Vanderbilt Commodores was snaped in emphatic fashion as the Gamecocks lost 31-7. The night was anything but glorious as it featured injuries, shaky officiating, and missed opportunities, but the truth was clear: Shane Beamer's squad just could not find its rhythm. The offense looked sharp on its first drive but sputtered from then on out. The defense had trouble wrapping up, and even before star QB LaNorris Sellers went down, the Gamecocks were in trouble.
With a primetime kickoff and both teams entering the matchup undefeated, plenty of eyes were on Columbia. And the fan reactions from around the college football world weren't kind.
You know, we made fun of Vandy for losing 16 straight to us.. But we haven't been 3-0 in 13 years.. That is a real problem 🤷🏻♂️
— Shawn Shade × Music By Suno (@RealShawnShade) September 14, 2025
The Gamecocks haven’t had any creativity since the first drive of the season. That drive was so fun to watch and worked so well but we just never went back to it. Just running up the middle like everyone expects.
— 𝑁i𝑐k 𝐵. 🐔 (@SpeakThenThink) September 14, 2025
Healthy Sellers or not, this Gamecocks offense has struggled all year
— Rob Williams (@RobWilliamsGCP) September 14, 2025
Officiating did not change the final outcome of the game, but it certainly drew attention. Missed calls and delayed flags frustrated both sidelines.
South Carolina didn't lose last night because of the officiating, but I've never seen a play blown dead this late in the process to review the previous play.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) September 14, 2025
Shane Beamer had reason to blow a gasket. Nyck Harbor would've scored here.pic.twitter.com/PvVknoXS9w
Fans on social media didn't mince words, saying South Carolina "got whooped" by Vanderbilt, particularly at the line of scrimmage. Other fans took to posting how they felt watching such a one-sided game.
3 weeks and 1 day ago, scores of Clemson Tiger and South Carolina Gamecocks fans had their sites set on the College Football Playoff. What difference 22 days makes.
— JP (@newinattica) September 14, 2025
It's been a wild ride, Gamecocks. We've had some good times, some bad times, and a whole lot of "wait 'til next year" times. But after much soul-searching, I've decided to transfer. Effective immediately, I am now a Commodore. I've always wanted to know what it feels like to win
— Childplease (@Childpleas75259) September 14, 2025
BTW, the Gamecocks: pic.twitter.com/tZrc05p4OS
— Dr. Stephen Poop (@drstephenpoop) September 14, 2025
South Carolina will have little time to dwell on the loss, with a road trip to Missouri looming next weekend. Beamer and the Gamecocks will need answers fast, whether it's at quarterback, in the trenches, or simply in playing cleaner football, if they want to avoid letting one very ugly night spiral into something bigger. The noise outside of Williams-Brice is already growing louder, and the response in Columbia will determine just how long it lingers going forward.