Shane Beamer previews Virginia Tech
Gamecocks head coach Shane Beamer addressed the media ahead of Sunday’s season-opening game against Virginia Tech. Much of the focus was on the confirmation of running back Rahsul Faison’s eligibility, the status of defensive line coach Travian Robertson following his automobile accident and Beamer’s decision not to release a depth chart ahead of this week’s game.
Beamer’s key comments
- Excited for Gamecocks’ RB Rahsul Faison. Huge props to compliance office and everyone at university for helping to get that resolved.
- Travian Robertson’s accident was serious and he’s lucky to be alive. Will not be with us in ATL. Have seen him and he’s eager to get back out here. His health is our primary concern, so we’re asking for continued thoughts and prayers.
- I called VT head coach Brent Pry and told him we won’t be releasing a two-deep so that he knew it wasn’t gamesmanship. If I would have released one, it would have had a lot of “ANDs and ORs” on it. We still have position battles going on.
- Pretty healthy. We have a couple of guys coming back from soft tissue injuries, but we feel good about where we are from an availability standpoint.
- I want us to be “who we are” and not change just because it’s Game 1. We need to play with great poise and be the team that we want to be in terms of execution, effort and physicality.
- Beamer on Jordan Dove stepping up in Travian Robertson’s absence: A lot of it is done during the week. Dove is leading the room for preparation. During the game, he’ll be in charge of the defensive line rotation, but that’s all discussed with the full staff, too.
- I’d agree with Gamecocks OC Mike Shula about more freshman WRs being more ready than we initially anticipated. A lot of dynamic players in that room. You’ll see a small group playing a lot this week and, perhaps, all of them seeing the field a little bit.
- I like where we are on special teams. We’ve got quality, talented guys. I just want to see more consistency from the kickers/punters, and I expect we will.
- Beamer on response to Nike partnership: The response from recruits has been very, very positive.
