Shane Beamer assesses South Carolina defense at half vs. Charlotte

South Carolina made it to halftime against Charlotte nursing a 20-14 lead. The Gamecocks trailed 7-3 after one frame but a 17-7 second quarter propelled them ahead.

Heading into halftime, head coach Shane Beamer said the defense needs to do a better job of getting off the field against what has been a feisty 49ers outfit.

“Love the way we’re running the football right now,” Beamer said. “We’ve got to get more stops defensively. Great stop by our defense right there at the end of the first half. But we’ve got to get ourselves off the field. We’ve given up way too many third and longs and what not. But I like the way we’re playing overall, this is a good football team, we knew they were going to make some plays. We gotta get in here and figure out a good second half plan.”

The Gamecocks have been successful on the ground through one half as Beamer said, wracking up 161 yards and both touchdowns on the ground. Leading the charge in that department is Marshawn Lloyd who has a career-high 128 yards on 12 carries.

And while 14 points isn’t exactly pouring it on, Charlotte has kept pace and had been near impossible for the Gamecocks to get off the field in the first half. The 49ers started 7-for-7 on third downs until the stop prior to halftime that Beamer mentioned.

Lloyd’s go-ahead touchdown for South Carolina will be a staple in highlight reels

Lloyd started the second quarter in style for South Carolina. Taking a handoff on the first play of the quarter from the 25, Lloyd burst through the hole and took on Charlotte defensive back Wayne Jones.

Rather than cut back, find a block or try to stiff arm the defensive back, Lloyd took off over the top. And it wasn’t like Jones dove at his ankles — the defender broke down and was in good position until the running back floated over top of him.

MARSHAWN LLOYD (@m_lloyd_2) GOT UP ⏫⏫ pic.twitter.com/3KcV6snOdI

— Mitchel Summers (@MitchSummersTV) September 25, 2022

After landing around the 12 yard line, Lloyd scurried into the end zone to give the Gamecocks a 10-7 lead over the 49ers.