The Gamecocks, ranked in the AP poll for the first time this season, have seemingly turned a corner over the last few weeks and will be seeking a fourth straight victory when Texas A&M rolls into Williams-Brice Stadium, Saturday. If head coach Shane Beamer wants to share a harsh lesson in the trappings of success, however, he’ll need to look no further than last season’s blown lead against the Aggies. South Carolina pushed Texas A&M around in the first half before seeing a 27-point lead evaporate in a 31-30 loss.

But USC is playing with a level of confidence not seen in last year’s group. The 23rd-ranked Gamecocks have racked up 464 yards per game under new offensive coordinator Kendal Briles and quarterback LaNorris Sellers has added to his career highlight reel with eye-popping plays in wins over Florida, Tennessee and Oklahoma.

This group of Gamecocks wants to more closely mimic the traits of the 2024 team that closed the regular season on a six-game winning streak. That streak included a 44-20 rout of Texas A&M at Williams-Brice Stadium. USC can become bowl-eligible with a win, Saturday. The oddsmakers think the Gamecocks have a good chance as they are 7-point favorites. Kickoff for the ESPN broadcast is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Key Comments from Shane Beamer

• Excited to be back home. Home crowd was “awesome” last game vs. Tennessee and expects the same Saturday. Gates open 2 hours before kick, so get in (line) early and “be a weapon for us.”
• On Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko: A defensive guy-“ that’s their DNA.” Hope’s up. RB Matt Fuller was back in the facility today already and hopes to have him back for “any post-season” the team may have.
• On his team of great young men: “ I just love to watch them play.” Grateful to have his position as head coach. “I love being the head coach here because of what it means to the fans.”
• He and RB coach Stan Drayton have not yet discussed the starter, the backup and next in line and won’t until later in the week.
• Oklahoma double teamed the Edge rushers like Stewart and Addison, leaving the rest one on one and able to pressure the QB. Sometimes rushed just 4 and sometimes just 3 with an LB spy.
• Beamer says he talked to other USC Head Coaches like Dawn Staley about last year’s loss to A&M and other basketball coaches like Tony Bennett and Rick Pitino because you can’t talk to competitors during the season.
• Would like to think you don’t have to experience this year’s losing street to have the current winning streak but it did contribute to team’s growth. Cited UVA’s Tiny Bennett reaction after first round NCAA loss one year followed by National Championship next year.
• Can’t let the noise of being ranked affect the team. “I would hope that everyone in the program would expect to be ranked at this point of the season”
• On his team’s November improvement: “It’s the way that we practice. We work on developing the entire roster.”
  “We do a lot of good on good” and everyone is involved. “Guys aren’t standing around in practice. Everyone is involved.” Stress to his players “be a guy on the rise.”
• It’s a travesty that there’s not a USC linebacker on the Butkus Award list (for best linebacker in the nation).Justin Okoronkwo, JR Johnson and Sean Murphy all playing at a high level. “If there are 14 or 15 linebackers playing at a higher level, I will tip my cap to them.”