Kai Kroeger shares emotions of beating Texas A&M for the first time

In 2022, South Carolina managed to beat Texas A&M for the first time. It was a huge win for the program that punter Kai Kroeger was excited to be a part of.

At SEC Media Days, Kroeger broke down the emotions of that game and emphasized how important special teams were in the game.

“We had confidence going into the game,” Kai Kroeger said. “The opening kickoff, Xavier [Legette] returns it for a touchdown. From that moment on, we’re full steam ahead.”

In a six-point win, that kickoff for a touchdown turned out to be the difference in the game. Also on special teams, Kai Kroeger had a huge impact on the game, punting six times while averaging 49 yards per punt.

“I didn’t realize that we hadn’t beaten them since their entrance in the league. After hearing that, it’s kind of, like, wow. It’s really a big deal. They’ve beaten us pretty bad in the past. It’s nice to get back at them. That’s another game where special teams is a big deal.”

That win for South Carolina took place in Columbia and would have been a lot harder to pull off on the road in what defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway says is one of the SEC’s best environments.

“I probably say like one of the loudest, Texas A&M,” Hemingway said. “Texas A&M [is] a good one.”

Shane Beamer on South Carolina’s relationship with Texas high schools

While speaking at the Texas High School Coaches’ Association, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer emphasized how important the program’s relationship with Texas high schools is going to be moving forward.

“Yeah, it’s huge. We’ve got two players on our team from the state of Texas and there’s direct flights into Columbia, South Carolina, into Charlotte, which is close to us as well. So, from a recruiting standpoint, it’s really beneficial,” Beamer said.

“It’s an honor to be out here, to be asked to speak here, because of the respect that I have for the high school coaching in this state and what high school football means in the state of Texas. So, it really is an honor to be out here. When I was asked, I didn’t hesitate. And we’re a program that’s — a lot of excitement and a lot of energy about our program right now and that’s resonating not just in the Southeast but across the country as well. So, to be able to get out here and catch up with coaches that I knew when I recruited this area at Oklahoma or coaches who have been out to visit us in Columbia has been really fun to do today.”