Bret Bielema explains taunting Shane Beamer following cordial handshake

After the fracas just before the fourth quarter of the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl, it wasn’t surprising that Illinois head coach Bret Bielema and South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer shared a frosty postgame handshake. But after their blow up in the second half, there weren’t any more theatrics.

And Bielema, the winning coach, explained some of what happened between him and Beamer following a 21-17 win for the Fighting Illini. All told, Bielema was mum on the matter, mostly praising his team, the fifth to get 10 wins in Illinois program history, the first to do so since 2001.

“Football game,” Bielema said. “I think the best thing to happen, we got ourselves in a bowl that means a lot to this program. 10 wins, fifth time in school history. We want to build something sustainable. Can’t say enough about our kids and their effort and obviously a very good South Carolina team, very excited to get a W.”

All eyes on the handshake but it was just a tap on the shoulder between Beamer and Bielema pic.twitter.com/zl66Y9W8t3

— Matt Dowell (@MattDowellTV) December 31, 2024

The incident was kicked off when an Illinois player was down and injured near the South Carolina sideline late in the third quarter. Bielema had gone over to see how the player was doing, and after turning to walk back to his sideline, faced Beamer and the South Carolina huddle and made the signal a referee would to allow for substitutions.

Beamer had been running hot earlier in the game, seemingly upset with officiating. And then when Bielema made his jab, Beamer momentarily lost his cool. Bielema had also made the substitution signal while walking over.

pic.twitter.com/DySr5iz34A

— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 31, 2024

Beamer, after he cooled down some, yelled to sideline reporter Quint Kessenich: “You saw that.”

Throughout the game, Illinois has been subbing late in response to the Gamecocks and pushing South Carolina close to taking delay of games.

Seconds after the near-scuffle, South Carolina subbed late and Bielema sent in an array of subs, causing Beamer to use a timeout to avoid a delay of game in the low red zone.

The broadcast then showed both coaches, as Bielema sported a sly grin on the sideline opposite a ruffled Beamer.

Illinois led, 14-10, at the end of the third quarter shortly after, with the Gamecocks threatening to score. South Carolina did take a 17-14 lead but did not hold on to it.