Prior to its second bye week of the year, South Carolina Football captured a large victory over new SEC member Oklahoma, 35-9. The Gamecocks handed the Sooners the team’s third SEC loss fueled by an early 21-0 lead in the first quarter.
In another SEC matchup, Gamecock football faces the No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies in WIlliams-Brice Stadium this Saturday. South Carolina looks to give the Aggies the team's first loss of conference play, and the Gamecocks are “full speed ahead on Texas A&M,” Beamer said. The Gamecocks are back under the shining lights of Williams-Brice, in front of a sold-out stadium, and hope to make this the team’s second night-game win in Columbia, South Carolina.
South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer spoke in his weekly press conference on Tuesday, highlighting recruitment in the bye week, getting ready for this week's game and keeping the excitement rolling.
Different Bye week, Better Team
This season’s first bye week during week five did not precede a good outcome in the following game against Ole Miss. The Gamecocks lost at home 27-3 against a respectable Rebels squad, who were No. 12 in the country and 4-1 at the time. Despite feeling great about the energy coming out of the first bye week, Carolina failed to utilize its talent.
“You have to play well, and you have to coach well,” Beamer said. “We didn’t do a good enough job on either of those against Ole Miss.”
Beamer said the team has been moving in the right direction since that loss on Oct. 5.
“We’ve made progress since that point," Beamer said. “There's no question we’re a better team since that point.”
Players such as fifth-year edge Kyle Kennard, senior linebacker Debo Williams and junior defensive back Nick Emmanwori spoke at the press conference and referenced frustration with the bye week, noting that they wanted to keep rolling after the win against Oklahoma. Williams said the team is “hungry” and ready to get back out there and dominate.
“As good as a bye week is, you definitely have a feeling of angst,” redshirt senior defensive tackle Alex Huntley said. “You just want to go out there and play."
Beamer said the team used the bye week to their advantage, coming back healthier and ready to be back in the “insane” environment of Williams-Brice Stadium.
“The off week was really, really good for us, no question about it,” Beamer said.
Big Challenge Ahead
The Aggies go into this game undefeated in conference play and lead in many categories. In SEC matchups, Texas A&M is No. 1 in scoring offense, rushing offense, rushing defense, rush yards and turnover margin.
“(Head coach Mike) Elko has done a phenomenal job in year one,” Beamer said. “This is a team that’s operating at a high level in all three phases. Extremely talented, extremely well coached, coming off a huge win over LSU last Saturday night.”
Beamer said he recognized the significance of this game for the Gamecocks but is confident in the practice week they were able to have during the bye. He said they looked at both A&M quarterbacks and how to navigate their different skill sets. Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed came in for starting sophomore quarterback Conner Weigman during the second half of their game against LSU. Reed led the Aggies from a 17-0 deficit to a 38-23 win, in which he rushed for three touchdowns.
“We’re going to need to be really good on Saturday Night,” Beamer said. “But our guys are excited about the opportunity.”
Matching Physicality
With such a prolific rush game and a “really impressive” offensive line, the Gamecock defense will be forced to put a stop to Texas A&M early. The South Carolina defense currently leads conference play games in fumble return touchdowns, interception return touchdowns, fumble return yards and interception return yards.
Kennard said he feels ready for Reed and said he will be able to control the rush.
"As edge rushers, we 've got to just be very sound in our rushes," Kennard said. "We might have to face his legs, so containing that part of him and just doing that in controlling our rush."
Junior defensive back Nick Emmanwori currently leads the SEC in interceptions and is coming off one of his best games against Oklahoma.
“I think we still have that momentum … I think we’re amped up and ready to go,” Emmanwori said. “There’s a lot of energy behind this week, so I think we’re ready to (go as a) defense.”
In terms of physicality, Williams said he loves the way Texas A&M plays. “Every game is a challenge,” Williams said. “Every team has their good points and weak points.” When asked about the Texas A&M run game, Williams expressed how “fun to watch” this game will be.
“If you love tough, gritty, physical football games, this is the one for you,” Beamer said.
What's Next?
The South Carolina Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 SEC) face the No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies (7-1, 5-0 SEC) on Nov. 2 at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:30, and the game will be broadcast on ABC and ESPN+.