Shane Beamer lavished praise on Clemson and emphasized the respect he has for his counterpart Dabo Swinney at his weekly press conference, Tuesday.
Beamer worked under Steve Spurrier from 2007-10, a coach known to needle his opponents through the press. Beamer didn’t provide any “bulletin board material” for the Tigers, however, or fan the flames of the rivalry. Instead, Beamer compared the consistency with which Swinney and Clemson have won with what his father, Frank Beamer, accomplished at Virginia Tech.
One thing Beamer and Spurrier do have in common is their mental approach to rivalry games. “This morning was like any other team meeting we have to start the week in that we introduced the opponent just like we’ve done and talked about their offense, defense, special teams, coaching and what we need to do to win the football game,” Beamer said. “I’m not dumb, I know it’s magnified this year because of what we’ve done. It’s magnified because we’re a ranked team. Clemson has been a ranked team all these years. Finally, South Carolina comes in here as a ranked team. It’s magnified and it’s big because of what we’ve done along with Clemson, which they do each year.”
Not only is this week unlike any other because of the opponent, but also because the schedule is affected by Thanksgiving. Beamer said he’s encouraged his team to “continue to be who they are” and focus on what’s important. “Once the game gets started,” Beamer said, “It gets down to blocking, tackling and playing with great fundamentals and that’s what’s going to win this game.”
Ranked vs. ranked matchups in this rivalry have been rare, but Beamer thinks that may be changing, “We’re not going anywhere, our program. We’re only continuing to ascend. And Dabo (Swinney) and Clemson have shown they’re not going anywhere, and a battle of ranked Carolina vs. ranked Clemson, with playoff implications, in my mind, is going to be a yearly occurrence around here. So, everybody better get used to it.”
The Gamecocks knocked off Clemson two years ago to snap a losing streak in the rivalry, but the Tigers avenged that loss at Williams-Brice Stadium last season. A new chapter will be written when the Gamecocks and the Tigers square off in Death Valley at noon, Saturday.
Shane Beamer key comments
- For us, the team that wins is going to be the one that prepares the best, practices the best, coaches the best on Saturday. Not the one that gets caught up on social media or talking in press conferences. We just need to focus on going 1-0. That’s what we’ve done all year and this week’s no different.”
- I love this rivalry. It’s a small state w/out major pro sports and you’re always surrounded by Gamecocks and Tigers wherever you go. You hear about it year-round. When I pop into the CVS near my house, Ms. Kathy gives me the rundown about Clemson and Dabo Swinney
- There’s a lot of plays where Cade Klubnik has gotten out of a sack and completes a deep ball. He did that vs. UVA, VT and Pitt. You see his development this season. I got to know him when I was at OU and think a lot of him as a person and a player
- Beamer says he doesn’t refer to this game as “Palmetto Bowl.” Says the name is fine, makes sense and they mention that it’s a “trophy game,” but he just calls it the Carolina-Clemson game
- Beamer: This will be loudest crowd we’ve encountered and we’ve discussed not letting the noise affect you
- Beamer on striking right tone: Encouraging our players to keep their routine and handle emotions
- Beamer has a lot of praise for defense. Says LB Carter is a fantastic player, can’t wait until he leaves
- Beamer says he has a lot of respect for Dabo Swinney. Compares what Swinney is accomplishing in terms of consistency to what his father was able to build at VT
- Gamecocks will have to tackle against Phil Mafah, who’s capable of making you miss or running over you. Will also have to bring their pads when they’re trying to bring down Klubnik both in the pocket and when he’s scrambling