Shane Beamer encouraged by newcomers at running back
The good news on the ground for South Carolina is the Gamecocks are now 14-1 during Shane Beamer’s tenure when rushing for at least 100 yards on the ground.
The Gamecocks eclipsed the century mark last night in a 47-21 win over Furman, but Beamer knows there’s still a very long way to go in the run game.
[Win a Spencer Rattler-autographed football]
“We’re getting closer. Our yards per carry wasn’t what we wanted last night but we went over 100 yards. I know because of Steve Fink’s research our record around here is pretty dang good when we rush over 100 yards,” he said. “I’m proud of that. But we need to be better and more consistent with yards per carry. The competition level is about to ramp up quickly.”
While South Carolina did get up to 109 yards rushing (sack adjusted) Saturday night, the offense averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. According to Game on Paper, 15 of the Gamecocks’ 37 rushes (49 percent) went for two yards or less.
They have a 35 percent success rate when running the ball through two games: 27.3 percent against North Carolina and 39.5 percent against Furman.
Through two games, the Gamecocks are averaging a sack-adjusted 2.9 yards per carry with Dakereon Joyner the team’s leading rusher with 65 total yards while averaging 2.8 yards per carry.
They were able, though, to get two newcomers into the fold this week with Djay Braswell and Mario Anderson.
[Get news from GamecockCentral via email]
“Djay did a nice job. I thought Mario did a nice job. We have four guys in there that are continuing to get better. I think DK continues to get comfortable at that position. Djay Braswell has a little bit of juice to him and burst,” Beamer said.
“I think Djay is learning he can’t outrun everybody to the sideline like maybe he could in high school. Mario is a guy who’s a downhill thumper and has a low center of gravy, athleticism and balance. I’m excited about those guys. We need to continue to get better in that room.”
Those two combined to rush 10 times for just under 50 yards, averaging just under five yards per carry. South Carolina had a 77.8 percent success rate when running with either of those two players.
Anderson–who had a prolific year at Division II Newberry–had six carries for 32 yards while Braswwell, a four-star prospect in the 2023 cycle, went for 17 yards on four carries.
It was both backs’ first offensive snaps at South Carolina.
[GamecockCentral Business Network]
“He did a good job. He’s a guy we tried to get in there. We planned on playing him last week but with the way the game went, it was tough to get him in there. He did a good job,” Beamer said about Anderson.
“He works hard and has a low center of gravity. He’s a powerful guy who’s hard to bring down. He’s got a great contact balance. When he’s hit, he’s able to keep his balance and stay on his feet. He’s a guy who we need to find ways to get in the game.”
