Beamer Ball, South Carolina off to a rough start vs. East Carolina

When East Carolina was searching for a head coach after the 2015 season, Shane Beamer interviewed for the position. ECU opted to hire Scottie Montgomery instead. Now, in his second game as South Carolina’s head coach, Beamer and the Gamecocks are trailing the Pirates at halftime.

ECU called for a trick play on the first play of the game, and it went 75 yards for a touchdown. Quarterback Holton Ahlers tossed the ball to wide receiver Tyler Snead behind the line of scrimmage, and Snead pulled up and threw a bullet to receiver Jsi Hatfield that resulted in the touchdown.

ECU opened the game against SCAR by destroying them with a trick play pic.twitter.com/LPdDpW7l6G

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) September 11, 2021

South Carolina’s offense struggled in the first half vs. ECU defense

Quarterback Zeb Noland got the start again for South Carolina, meaning that Luke Doty was not yet able to return to the field. Noland completed 13 of his 22 pass attempts for 121 yards and four touchdowns in South Carolina’s week one contest against Eastern Illinois. Noland has not seen the same success so far for South Carolina against ECU.

In the first half in Greenville, Noland completed eight of 13 pass attempts for 109 yards, no touchdowns, and an interception. South Carolina has gone three and out on offense four times, in addition to three turnovers. Noland threw an interception on South Carolina’s first offensive possession.

After the Gamecocks drove deep down the field late in the first quarter, a fumble at the half yard line ended South Carolina’s best drive of the game. Instead, South Carolina gave up the ball and ECU took over. On South Carolina’s next possession, Noland completed a pass to Dakereon Joyner, who could not hold onto the ball. The ball ended up in the hands of ECU safety DJ Ford and was ruled a fumble.

A late pick six put the Gamecocks on the board

With one minute remaining in the half, Ahlers attempted a screen pass up the middle to running back Rahjai Harris. The ball was dropped and ended up being intercepted by Damani Staley. Staley returned the play 63 yards for the touchdown, cutting it to a 14-7 game.

ECU has 187 total yards compared to 94 for the Gamecocks. The Pirates have also seen more success running the ball, with 71 rushing yards compared to negative 15 yards for the Gamecocks. South Carolina is averaging just 3.1 yards per play with four total first downs. South Carolina’s defensive front has been good against ECU, with four first half sacks on Ahlers.