South Carolina Football Midseason Check-In: What’s Working — and What’s Not — for Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks
The South Carolina Gamecocks have officially hit their first bye week of the 2025 season. Sitting at 3-2 with wins over Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, and Kentucky — and losses to Vanderbilt and Missouri — Shane Beamer’s squad finds itself at a crucial turning point.
With a tough SEC stretch looming, here’s a closer look at three reasons for optimism and three causes for concern as the Gamecocks regroup for the second half of the season.
Three Reasons for Optimism
1. LaNorris Sellers’ Steady Growth
While early-season Heisman buzz around LaNorris Sellers has cooled, the redshirt sophomore quarterback continues to show improvement.
Through five games, Sellers has 886 passing yards, four touchdowns, and just one interception — a clear upgrade from his four interceptions through this point last season. His completion rate has also jumped to 66.7%, and his passing efficiency now sits at 165.1, up from 124 a year ago.
ProFootballFocus ranks Sellers No. 6 in overall offense and No. 7 in passing offense among SEC quarterbacks with at least half the snaps.
2. A Turnover-Hungry Defense
Defensive coordinator Clayton White’s unit has been a bright spot. The Gamecocks rank No. 3 nationally with three defensive touchdowns and have already forced nine turnovers, including six interceptions, good for No. 2 in the SEC.
South Carolina also ranks 13th nationally in team sacks (14) and has combined with special teams for six total touchdowns this season.
If the defense continues to improve, it could be the difference-maker in several tough upcoming matchups.
3. The Rise of the Receiving Corps
The Gamecocks’ wide receiver group has quietly become a strength. While much of the preseason attention centered on Nyck Harbor, it’s Vandrevius Jacobs who’s emerged as the breakout star. Jacobs leads the team with 18 receptions, 323 yards, and two touchdowns.
Harbor has also taken a leap forward with 11 catches for 220 yards — already surpassing last season’s production — while freshmen Donovan Murph and Brian Rowe Jr. continue to carve out roles as key contributors.
Three Reasons for Concern
1. Brutal Schedule Ahead
The second half of South Carolina’s schedule is a gauntlet. The Gamecocks’ next five games are all against Top 25 teams, including No. 13 LSU, No. 5 Oklahoma, No. 10 Alabama, No. 4 Ole Miss, and No. 6 Texas A&M.
With Coastal Carolina as the only likely win left, South Carolina will need at least one upset victory to stay bowl-eligible. A loss-filled stretch could leave the Gamecocks needing to beat Clemson in their regular-season finale just to reach six wins.
2. Offensive Inconsistency
Offensive coordinator Mike Shula’s unit has struggled to find rhythm. Despite flashes of potential, the Gamecocks rank near the bottom of the SEC in nearly every major offensive category:
- No. 84 in passing offense
- No. 88 in scoring offense
- No. 97 in yards per play
- No. 107 in red zone offense
- No. 121 in total offense
- No. 124 in rushing offense
South Carolina’s offense has produced only 10 touchdowns, compared to six from defense and special teams — a ratio that’s not sustainable against elite SEC opponents.
3. Struggles in the Run Game
The ground attack remains one of the biggest issues. Through five games, South Carolina has managed just 499 rushing yards — an average of 99.8 per game, ranking last in the SEC.
Injuries along the offensive line and the absence of a dominant back like former All-SEC rusher Rocket Sanders have contributed to the decline. However, the team’s 178-yard rushing performance against Kentucky last week could be a step in the right direction.
Looking Ahead
With a bye week to reset, Shane Beamer’s focus will be on tightening the offense and sustaining the defensive momentum. The next five games will define South Carolina’s season — and determine whether the Gamecocks can turn potential into postseason reality.
“We’ve got momentum and a lot of excitement,” Beamer said. “Now it’s about keeping that energy rolling through the toughest part of our schedule.”
