Shane Beamer shares postgame conversation with Dabo Swinney after rivalry win
Shane Beamer and South Carolina‘s upset victory over Clemson to close out the regular season was truly one of the most special moments for the program in recent history. Per usual, after the game both coaches shook hands and shared a breif conversation, and Beamer pulled back the curtain on what he said to Tigers’ head coach Dabo Swinney.
“Tons of respect for him and what he’s about and I told him in that handshake we played our ever living you know what off because we knew what it would take to beat these guys,” Beamer said.
Beamer also detailed the significance of win not only for his players, but for the fans of the Gamecocks as well.
“But I am so so so so so so happy for our fans, I know how important this rivalry is and I spoke at Gamecock clubs in Greenville, Spartanburg, I was in Anderson last May and I know how important this game is to so many people in this state,” Beamer said. “I’m just so happy for our fans, I’m so happy for our seniors, our players, a total team effort.”
The Gamecocks overcame a 14-point first quarter deficit, scratching and clawing back into the game and pulling of the come behind victory, defeating Clemson by just one point in a game for the ages in South Carolina.
“But the fight in this team, I hope y’all understand it is special what we’ve got in that locker room. For us to play like we did in the first quarter, nobody flinched and we were a confident team coming in here today and we got better as the day went,” Beamer said.
The Gamecocks ended the season 8-4 and ranked No. 19 in the final College Football Playoff polls, and will face Notre Dame in their season finale in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on December 30.
LOOK: Shane Beamer shares touching moment with father, elaborates on what it means to him
Shane Beamer helped lead South Carolina to a huge upset victory over No. 8 Clemson on Saturday defeating the Tigers 31-30. The win was the Gamecocks’ second straight victory over a top 10-ranked opponent, as they defeated No. 5 Tennessee the week prior in resounding fashion, spoiling the College Football Playoff hopes of teams in two consecutive weeks.
Beamer’s victory Saturday was not only a big moment for South Carolina’s program, but a big one for him personally, as his father Frank Beamer was in attendance for the game. Frank was a legendary coach for Virginia Tech, coaching the Hokies for 29 seasons before retiring in 2015, who also had success in Memorial Stadium over a decade ago like his son.
Tyrod Taylor led Virginia Tech in rushing and passing to help lead Beamer’s Hokies to a 41-23 win over Clemson in 2007, but so did Eddie Royal with an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown.
Similarly, Beamer’s South Carolina team made a big play on special teams on Saturday, forcing and recovering a fumble within the last two minutes of the game that ultimately gave them the ball back and allowed them to secure a victory and a moment that Beamer will cherish forever.