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LaNorris Sellers gifts Frank Beamer game ball after South Carolina tops Virginia Tech

FaceProfileby: Thomas Goldkamp08/31/25
Frank Beamer and son Shane Beamer
(Photo by Chris Gillespie)

South Carolina knocked off Virginia Tech 24-11 in a game that carried a little extra significance for head coach Shane Beamer. And his players apparently knew it.

The tie-in? Frank Beamer, Shane’s father, was the long-time coach at Virginia Tech. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2018, largely due to his contributions to the Hokies.

So after the game, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers made sure to seek out Frank Beamer. He had a game ball to hand him. You can check it out below.

Sellers handed Frank Beamer the game ball while the latter was seated on a golf cart inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Beamer was, pardon the term, beaming as he received it. Clearly it was a special moment for him.

It wasn’t the easiest game for South Carolina, which was locked in a 10-8 dogfight entering the fourth quarter. That’s when a trademark play occurred: Beamer Ball.

South Carolina opted to force Virginia Tech to punt again after an illegal formation. The decision paid off instantly, as electric return man Vicari Swain housed the kick, dashing 80 yards and weaving through traffic to find the end zone.

That put the game almost out of reach, then Sellers came through with the sealer. He found athletic phenom Nyck Harbor down the field for a 64-yard touchdown hookup that extended the lead to 24-11 with 7:42 left in the game.

Sellers would ice things for the Beamers shortly after, picking up a handful of pivotal first downs with his legs, effectively icing the game. For the Gamecocks, the win was a huge step in the right direction.

Shane Beamer and his team will have playoff ambitions this year and getting off to a hot start was key. Not every team this weekend played a tough non-conference opponent like South Carolina, so confidence should be sky high going forward.

And for Frank Beamer, he now has a special memory of his son upending his former team. Complete with a game ball to remember it.