Expectations, belief in mid-season turnaround remain high for South Carolina

There wasn’t much to write home about South Carolina’s 26-7 loss to Oklahoma on Saturday afternoon. The Gamecocks’ offense left some crucial points on the table and started the game 0-10 on third-down conversions. Their defense couldn’t stop the Sooners’ ground game, and their special teams committed a turnover on a fake punt attempt.

But despite all the bad that has befell the South Carolina football program in recent weeks, there has been some good. Vicari Swain‘s three punt return touchdowns across the Gamecocks’ first two games galvanized the team when it needed a spark. They accumulated a season-high 193 rushing yards against LSU after struggling to establish a ground game of its own.

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Yet the closest to an all-around performance the team has put together came against Kentucky on Sept. 27, when it generated 341 yards of offense and scored two defensive touchdowns en route to a 35-13 victory.

Those glimpses of positive play are why, when asked about how he keeps morale high when South Carolina had such high expectations this year, Shane Beamer responded by saying, “We still do [have high expectations].”

Beamer understands that the Gamecocks have fallen short of those expectations through seven games this year. But even with top-10 opponents in Alabama, Ole Miss and Texas A&M looming on the schedule, he remains steadfast in his pursuit of the goal he set for South Carolina at the start of the campaign.

“When people ask me… What’s a successful season? It’s to get the most out of this team. And right now, I’m not getting the most out of this team as the head football coach,” Beamer said. “It’s back to work tomorrow to continue to see if we can maximize the ability and the potential on this year’s team.”

The Gamecocks’ 2025 season has not gone to plan, to put it lightly. They were heralded as a potential College Football Playoff contender during the preseason after nearly earning a bid last year, but they have failed to reach those lofty heights thus far. Now in the midst of a two-game losing streak following a bye week, South Carolina has a 3-4 overall record.

At season’s end, the Gamecocks’ defeat to Oklahoma could be looked at as a turning point, whether it be another step along its downward trajectory or a wake-up call that results in another “November to remember.” But if there’s one thing that keeps Beamer hopeful for a mid-season turnaround, it’s the fight his players possess.

“We didn’t even know if Gabe Brownlow-Dindy was going to be able to play today. We didn’t know if Brandon Cisse was going to be able to play today; we didn’t know if Monkell Goodwine was going to be able to play today. Vicari Swain breaks his finger in practice on Wednesday, has to have surgery on Wednesday night, and is out there catching punts today. Markee Anderson, wasn’t sure he was going to be able to play,” Beamer said. “Our guys, they played their butts off. “(I’m) hurt for them because they’re fighting.”

LaNorris Sellers, like Beamer, was asked about the Gamecocks’ chances of a mid-season turnaround. Sellers’ confidence in that happening was just as high as that of his head coach.

“Yeah, definitely. All it takes is one,” Sellers said. “Last year, the Oklahoma game was the game for us that sprung us on that run. All it takes is one.”

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