Shane Beamer talks South Carolina run game, run-stopping ability
One of the critical areas South Carolina was focused on improving was the same on both sides of the ball.
It included running the ball more efficiently offensively and stopping the run defensively. And, coming out of the Gamecocks’ first scrimmage, there were positives and negatives to each.
“Each side has certainly, you know, shown flashes of being able to do that. The biggest thing that I see with the offensive line and defensive line is just being able to sustain drives and effort as a drive goes on,” Shane Beamer said.
“We’re not where we need to be with the younger guys, particularly with that second group, of being able to sustain things. We’ve got to be physically and mentally tougher. That will certainly help with running the ball and stopping it.”
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South Carolina ranked 12th in the SEC last season averaging 3.8 yards per carry and 13th allowing 4.9 yards per carry defensively.
The rooms are relatively new–almost exclusively new offensively–with a lot of new names ore veterans growing into new roles in each.
At running back, the only scholarship returner is Juju McDowell. South Carolina limited him during Saturday’s scrimmage. But the good news is Kam Sandlin participated and “did a good job,” Beamer said, along with a few other guys.
“Mario Anderson had a nice run today. He had a run that came back because of a holding penalty. Djay Braswell got in there and did a nice job today, along with DK and Bradley Dunn, who had a nice spring,” Beamer said. “He did some good things. I saw Nathan Harris-Waynick have a run in there. We’re trying to get as many of those guys to come along as we can. Really like them.”
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Anderson has the most experience at the college level, rushing for 1,560 yards and averaging 7.4 yards per pop last season while scoring 19 touchdowns. Freshman four-star Braswell has also turned some heads as well and could be working towards having a role as a freshman.
“You know, when I talk about I like the freshman class I certainly include D.J. Braswell in that group. He’s got a chance to be a really good player for us. He did some nice things today. So that’s a good competition that we have,” Beamer said.
“Then Juju is limited today. It’s nothing major, just kind of being smart with him. But I like the running back group. They all bring something to the table.”
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Up front the Gamecocks seem to have an idea about their starting interior tackles. Tonka Hemingway and Boogie Huntley are seemingly the favorites to start there.
How that room shapes up behind them is the question with options there: TJ Sanders, Nick Barrett, Xzavier McLeod, Elijah Davis, Jamaal Whyce and others.
Beamer mentioned he did see some good things from that inside group today.
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“I didn’t see a ton of just downhill runs that were popping out of there,” he said. “So credit the defense for that. A couple of the longer runs that we did have today were plays that popped out on the perimeter.”
