Shane Beamer explains what he hopes to see in upcoming scrimmage

Year One of the Shane Beamer era at South Carolina was a solid opening season for the Gamecocks. Going 7-6 overall and winning the Duke’s Mayo Bowl to cap off the 2021 campaign, Beamer’s club was able to compete in the SEC and finish with a winning record – and that’s a step in the right direction for the program.

Coming into Year Two, Beamer and his club have plans to keep improving and be a consistent contender in the SEC – and South Carolina is putting in the work in spring practices to prepare themselves to accomplish just that.

Meeting with the media last week, Beamer was asked by a reporter what he wanted to see out of his team’s first scrimmage of spring practice as the Gamecocks get ready for the upcoming 2022 season.

“For me, it’s the mechanics of being able to operate,” Beamer said. “In our team periods we don’t have coaches out there telling everybody what to do – we get on the sidelines and let our guys play. But really just the mechanics of being able to signal the plays in, not having a lot of illegal substitutions and false starts – and we haven’t. Penalties, knock on wood, have been great here for three or four practices.

“For me, I want to see the mechanics – offensively and defensively – of operating before the snap and who knows what to do from a systematic standpoint. Can we depend on you? And really, for me, it’s who can make plays? Just seeing who can get out there and make plays.”

After winning seven games last season, South Carolina is scheduled to kickoff its 2022 slate on Saturday, Sept. 3 against Georgia State in Columbia. Following their opener, the Gamecocks will jump right into SEC play with a road trip to Arkansas on Sept. 10.