ATLANTA: Things could not have worked out more perfectly for South Carolina and fifth year head coach Shane Beamer on Sunday afternoon inside Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Playing his alma mater of Virginia Tech, and with his father, the legendary Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer in the stands, Beamer the younger made a critical coaching decision involving special teams that turned the game his way in a 24-11 victory.
How many times had he watched his dad win games in Blacksburg because of special teams? Shane Beamer has made special teams a thing with his Gamecocks. With team only leading 10-8 early in the fourth quarter, Beamer had the Hokies re-punt to Vicari Swain after a penalty on the initial punt. Swain fielded the punt at his own 20 and proceeded to run through and around a bunch of Hokies for an 80 yard touchdown return, the Gamecocks’ first punt return since Ace Sanders took one back against Michigan on New Year’s Day of 2013.
With the offense sputtering against a salty Tech defense, those seven points were huge. It gave the Gamecocks some breathing room. The defensive continue to play well and only allowed a field goal the rest of the way. Meantime, the offense followed up Swain’s return with a 64 yard scoring pass from LaNorris Sellers to Nyck Harbor, the longest pass completion of Sellers’ career.
That sealed the win and the celebration was on on the USC sideline as the Gamecocks secured their seventh straight regular season victory. It’s also the Gamecocks third straight win over the Hokies. They have not lost to Virginia Tech since 1974, though this was their first meeting since 1991.
Final Stats
My View from Mercedes-Benz Stadium
South Carolina postgame audio
Shane Beamer
LaNorris Sellers
Vicari Swain and Fred Johnson
Nyck Harbor
