South Carolina Grits Out Season-Opening Win Over Virginia Tech in True “Beamer Ball” Fashion
All the buildup to South Carolina’s 2025 season opener made it fitting that the Gamecocks’ clash with Virginia Tech turned out to be ugly, physical, and perfectly representative of “Beamer Ball.”
With his father, legendary Hokies coach Frank Beamer, watching from the stands, head coach Shane Beamer guided USC to a gritty 24-11 victory, highlighted by a game-changing punt return touchdown from redshirt sophomore Vicari Swain.
“It’s like so many Virginia Tech games where offense is ugly, and special teams finally says, ‘All right, we’re tired of watching this. We’re just gonna go score ourselves,’” Shane Beamer said. “If you could’ve scripted it, you would’ve scripted it like that. To score on special teams was pretty special, especially playing Virginia Tech and with [Frank Beamer] being here.”
South Carolina’s offense started hot, with quarterback LaNorris Sellers leading a seven-play, 75-yard drive capped off by his own 15-yard touchdown run.
“The first drive was obviously good, to go right down the field and score like you did. You’re like, ‘OK, heck of a start,’” Beamer said. “And then it got ugly there between that and the end of the half. But those guys just continued to battle. We knew, and we told our players early in the week … Just keep battling. Those guys did a really nice job.”
While the offense sputtered, the Gamecock defense shined, refusing to allow a single touchdown. Sophomore linebacker Fred “JayR” Johnson stole the show with 10 tackles, a pass breakup, and an interception in the end zone.
“[Johnson] was awesome, first of all. Fred’s a big-time player … When he was flying sideline to sideline, one of the guys on the sideline was like, ‘Man, he’s on a freaking mission today!’ That’s the way he played,” Beamer said.
However, Johnson’s decision to run out his interception instead of taking a knee backfired. His return pinned USC at its own 2-yard line, and Sellers was eventually sacked for a safety.
“I think he just got caught up in the moment … He was a heck of an offensive player in high school, so I guess he just envisioned running that thing back for a touchdown,” Beamer explained.
USC’s other big offensive strike came in the fourth quarter, when Nyck Harbor hauled in a 64-yard touchdown reception. The track-star-turned-wideout nearly had another score earlier, but replay overturned his catch in the second quarter.
“He was obviously disappointed. It was a heck of a catch. I hate that they overturned it,” Beamer said. “I told Nyck, ‘You’re gonna come back and make another one,’ and he did. What a play. He’s a weapon.”
Defensively, Dylan Stewart added to the fireworks with two second-half sacks, showing signs of his development from freshman year.
“He is that disruptive when he doesn’t get to the quarterback. I was really proud of him today,” Beamer said. “It’s something we talked about as a staff this morning when we met at the hotel. Dylan couldn’t let the frustration get to him … He affected the quarterback even when he wasn’t in the backfield, and that’s what I was most proud of, just his demeanor during the game, because he’s still young, but the Dylan of last year, I think, might have let the frustration get to him.”
When the clock hit zero, Beamer couldn’t help but reflect on the moment — and the significance of winning against his father’s old program.
“We feel very blessed to have been in this game. Proud of our players. It was certainly ugly at times,” he said. “It was really cool to see our guys do that; certainly really emotional to me. I’d be lying to you if I told you this one wasn’t extra special.”
