Gutsy performance but no moral victories against Georgia

In the world of college football, moral victories are often shrugged off in favor of actual wins and losses. Yet, sometimes, a game transcends the scoreboard, revealing the character and potential of a team. South Carolina’s clash with the formidable Georgia Bulldogs proved just that, as the Gamecocks, led by head coach Shane Beamer, displayed remarkable resilience and growth on the field.

First and foremost, Coach Beamer congratulated the Bulldogs and acknowledged their championship pedigree. Georgia’s comeback victory showcased their ability to adapt and fight back, underlining why they have clinched back-to-back national championships. However, it was South Carolina’s performance, particularly in the first half, that took many by surprise, and Coach Beamer emphasized that it wasn’t a shock to anyone in their locker room.

“We expected this,” he asserted. “Anyone who’s surprised hasn’t watched us play in recent years.” Coach Beamer’s faith in his team’s abilities set the tone for the day.

The Gamecocks executed their game plan admirably in the first half, gaining a lead over the Bulldogs. Coach Beamer noted that the team had four key objectives going into the game, and one of them was to make Georgia earn their victory. Unfortunately, self-inflicted mistakes plagued South Carolina in the second half, preventing them from accomplishing this goal.

Coach Beamer openly acknowledged these errors, from pre-snap penalties to personnel issues, and even a questionable decision to attempt to block a punt late in the game. These lapses provided Georgia with opportunities they capitalized on. However, Coach Beamer’s willingness to take responsibility for these mistakes is a testament to his leadership and accountability.

Nonetheless, the Gamecocks displayed tremendous resilience and tenacity throughout the game. Coach Beamer praised his team for their unwavering commitment to the fight, a core value of their program. South Carolina went toe-to-toe with the number one team in the country, the defending national champions, and had a genuine chance to win in the fourth quarter.

Coach Beamer highlighted the growth of his team, particularly in playing young talents like the true freshman left tackle and safety. Their performance, along with the seasoned players’ efforts, showed that South Carolina is progressing as the season unfolds.

One of the standout players of the day was the quarterback, who, in Coach Beamer’s words, he wouldn’t trade for any other quarterback in the nation. He commended the quarterback’s poise and leadership, emphasizing that he provides them a chance to win every game.

Defensively, Coach Beamer admitted that improvements were needed, especially on third downs and against the run. Nevertheless, he praised the defensive line’s performance against a formidable opponent.

Injuries also played a part in the game, with key players sidelined. However, Coach Beamer expects to have many of them back soon, which bodes well for South Carolina’s future performances.

The game against Georgia was a statement for South Carolina, not just as a football team, but as a program on the rise. Coach Beamer’s confidence in his squad, their resilience, and their commitment to fighting were on full display. While it may go down as a loss in the record books, this game will be remembered as a defining moment for the Gamecocks, a moment when they proved their mettle against the best in the nation.

South Carolina Passing

Spencer Rattler
TEAM

C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT		QBR
22/42	256	6.1	1	2		72.1
22/42	256	6.1	1	2		—

Georgia Passing

Carson Beck
TEAM

C/ATT	YDS	AVG	TD	INT		QBR
27/35	269	7.7	0	0		79.4
27/35	269	7.7	0	0		—

South Carolina Rushing

Spencer Rattler
Dakereon Joyner
Mario Anderson
Xavier Legette
TEAM

CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
8	35	4.4	0	13
5	10	2.0	1	7
2	9	4.5	0	7
1	-1	-1.0	0	0
16	53	3.3	1	13

Georgia Rushing

Daijun Edwards
Kendall Milton
Dillon Bell
Cash Jones
Carson Beck
Brock Bowers
Roderick Robinson II
Team
TEAM

CAR	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
20	118	5.9	1	21
7	25	3.6	0	15
7	23	3.3	1	8
2	20	10.0	1	13
5	2	0.4	0	10
1	1	1.0	0	1
1	1	1.0	0	1
1	-1	-1.0	0	0
44	189	4.3	3	21

South Carolina Receiving

O’Mega Blake
Xavier Legette
Antwane Wells Jr.
Trey Knox
Eddie Lewis
Luke Doty
Dakereon Joyner
TEAM

REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
5	86	17.2	0	41
7	71	10.1	0	35
2	32	16.0	1	17
3	31	10.3	0	18
1	23	23.0	0	23
3	14	4.7	0	9
1	-1	-1.0	0	0
22	256	11.6	1	41

Georgia Receiving

Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
Dominic Lovett
Brock Bowers
Rara Thomas
Dillon Bell
Cash Jones
Oscar Delp
C.J. Smith
Arian Smith
TEAM

REC	YDS	AVG	TD	LONG
6	71	11.8	0	32
7	56	8.0	0	14
7	54	7.7	0	13
2	42	21.0	0	36
1	16	16.0	0	16
1	11	11.0	0	11
1	7	7.0	0	7
1	7	7.0	0	7
1	5	5.0	0	5
27	269	10.0	0	36

South Carolina Fumbles

	FUM	LOST	REC
No South Carolina Fumbles

Georgia Fumbles

	FUM	LOST	REC
No Georgia Fumbles

South Carolina Defensive

Debo Williams
Nick Emmanwori
T.J. Sanders
DQ Smith
Marcellas Dial
Jalon Kilgore
Stone Blanton
Alex Huntley
Bryan Thomas Jr.
Tonka Hemingway
David Spaulding
O’Donnell Fortune
Jordan Strachan
Drew Tuazama
Andrew Colasurdo
Judge Collier
Elijah Davis
TEAM

TACKLES	MISC
TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD		TD
11	7	0	1.5	0		0
10	4	0	0	0		0
9	8	1	2	1		0
9	5	0	0	0		0
8	4	0	0	0		0
5	3	0	0.5	0		0
4	3	1	1	0		0
4	3	0	0	0		0
4	3	0	0	0		0
3	3	0	0	0		0
3	2	0	0	0		0
3	2	0	0	1		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
78	52	2	5	2		0

Georgia Defensive

Daylen Everette
Tykee Smith
Smael Mondon Jr.
Kamari Lassiter
Jamon Dumas-Johnson
David Daniel-Sisavanh
Chaz Chambliss
Nazir Stackhouse
Mykel Williams
Malaki Starks
C.J. Madden
Mekhi Mews
Xavian Sorey Jr.
TEAM

TACKLES	MISC
TOT	SOLO	SACKS	TFL	PD		TD
5	5	0	0	1		0
5	4	0	0	1		0
5	4	0	0	0		0
4	2	0	2.5	2		0
3	3	1	2	0		0
2	2	0	0	0		0
2	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	1	1	0		0
1	1	1	1	0		0
1	1	0	0	3		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	1	0	0	0		0
1	0	0	0.5	0		0
32	26	3	7	7		0

South Carolina Interceptions

	INT	YDS	TD
No South Carolina Interceptions

Georgia Interceptions

Tykee Smith
Dan Jackson
TEAM

INT	YDS	TD
1	0	0
1	0	0
2	0	0

South Carolina Kick Returns

Xavier Legette
TEAM

NO	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
1	15	15.0	15	0
1	15	15.0	15	0

Georgia Kick Returns

Dillon Bell
TEAM

NO	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
1	15	15.0	15	0
1	15	15.0	15	0

South Carolina Punt Returns

	NO	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
No South Carolina Punt Returns

Georgia Punt Returns

	NO	YDS	AVG	LONG	TD
No Georgia Punt Returns

South Carolina Kicking

Mitch Jeter
TEAM

FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
0/0	0.0	0	2/2	2
0/0	0.0	0	2/2	2

Georgia Kicking

Peyton Woodring
TEAM

FG	PCT	LONG	XP	PTS
1/3	33.0	31	3/3	6
1/3	33.3	31	3/3	6

South Carolina Punting

Kai Kroeger
TEAM

NO	YDS	AVG	TB	IN 20	LONG
5	189	37.8	0	3	45
5	189	37.8	0	3	45

Georgia Punting

Brett Thorson
TEAM

NO	YDS	AVG	TB	IN 20	LONG
3	111	37.0	0	3	44
3	111	37.0	0	3	44