Shane Beamer reveals biggest difference in second spring practice season at South Carolina

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 on Tuesday, Beamer was asked by a reporter what’s been different for him and his team so far through his second spring practice season at South Carolina.

“I think the biggest thing is the players know what to expect and we know what to expect,” Beamer said. “There’s no feeling your way through, ‘OK, what’s practice going to be like today?’ And don’t get me wrong, it’s no cookie-cutter where we do the same thing every day. We want to create adversity and things like that on the field and constantly keep them on their toes and all that.

“The way that we expect our players to practice – the speed, the effort, the physicality, the toughness – that’s non-negotiable. Last year, they were learning that day-in and day-out. Now, we haven’t had to tell them to crank it up or be more physical. … If anything, it’s settle down a little bit because they’re really getting after it.”

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.