Just when you thought you were out, they pull you back in. That’s life as a Gamecock fan. Just one month ago, South Carolina was coming off a crushing overtime loss to Kentucky, and in many ways, it felt like a season that held so much promise was over.
The calls for Shane Beamer’s job were as loud as they’ve ever been, and many fans thought this was another year of wasted talent and potential. And all of that was true, until it wasn’t.
Beamer and the Gamecocks rallied together and did not let themselves be defined by the doubters, and finished off the month of October in a fashion that once felt impossible. South Carolina beat a top-20 Florida team in The Swamp by multiple scores, stifled a top-15 Tennessee team with a walk-off field goal, and most recently dismantled a Brent Venables Oklahoma team on the road.
South Carolina is playing with a sense of urgency and purpose in all three phases of the game while also executing at an incredibly high level.
Defensively, the resurgence of Dylan Stewart has made a world of difference to this unit, as Clayton White is able to rely on the defensive line to create pressure while the defensive backfield plays strong technique in man-to-man coverage. Since that Kentucky game, the Gamecock defense has not given up more than 25 points and looks like a top unit in the SEC.
Most recently, the defensive performance against Oklahoma was masterful. Despite losing the turnover battle 3-0, the Gamecocks held the Sooners to just twenty true offensive points (Oklahoma scored defensively). If the Gamecocks are to finish out the season at this current level, the defense will be a big reason why.
The return of LaNorris Sellers' greatness can't be overlooked
On the offensive side of the ball, we are witnessing greatness in the renaissance of LaNorris Sellers. Beamer challenged Sellers during the team’s losing streak, and that challenge seems to have awakened the sleeping giant, as his play has taken the country by storm and has some fans wondering if “LaHeisman” is in the realm of possibility.
Maybe it was the time to learn the Briles playbook, maybe it was a humbling from early losses, or maybe it was pure competitive fire, but the entire offense is clicking. Against Oklahoma, the team converted 57% on third down against a defense that entered the matchup as second in the country in that category.
Mazeo Bennett already has career highs in receptions, yards, and touchdowns with four games left to play, and the running back room is deep and highly competitive. And the Gamecocks are finally fielding an offensive line that allows everyone to function at a high level. All to say that, as herculean as Sellers has been playing, there are even more bright spots on that side of the ball that are shining through.
Sitting at five wins and three consecutive wins in the SEC, the Gamecocks have no intention of slowing down. Despite a couple of early stumbles this team has an opportunity to finish towards the top of the conference and find themselves in consideration for a very fine postseason opportunity. The job isn’t finished, but the Gamecocks have pulled everyone’s attention.
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