RECAP: Shane Beamer talks Tennessee win on Sunday teleconference

South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer discussed the Gamecocks’ blowout win of No. 5 Tennessee on his weekly Sunday teleconference and looked ahead to the rivalry matchup with Clemson.

Below is a recap of what Shane Beamer had to say…

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— PLAYERS OF THE GAME

Offense – Spencer Rattler, Jaheim Bell, Juice Wells

Scout Team (O) – JonDarius Morgan

Defense – Tonka Hemingway, Cam Smith, Darius Rush, Marcellas Dial

Scout Team (D) – Felix Hixon

Special Teams – Josh Vann, Debo Williams, Hunter Rogers

Scout Team (STs) – Joseph Morris

— Game plan last night was to leave the DBs on an island and they did a great job of keeping the Tennessee WRs in check. We knew they would catch some balls but we tackled and prevented explosive passes. We didn’t get the ball thrown over our heads until the very end.

Really liked the way we played in all phases.

Didn’t turn the ball over. Won one on one battles. Tennessee cut it to 35-31 and we scored every single time after that.

Great on 3rd and 4th downs. Great on time of possession.

Won the deep shots down the field. Tennessee was 1 for 9 on those deep balls.

On special teams, Tennessee was not going to kick the ball to our returns. They kicked a couple out of bounds and helped our field position because they were kicking away from the returners.

A lot of good and still things to correct and clean up. But we were down two of the top running backs and lost Emmanwori due to the targeting so proud of the response of the team.

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— INJURY REPORT: Anyone injured against Tennessee is good to go. MarShawn Lloyd and Christian Beal-Smith are questionable for Saturday.

— Every week we have to stop the run. The plan was to leave the DBs on an island and stop the run with guys in the box. Clemson ran it on us a ton last year, right through us, will have to stop it better against them this year.

— This is my favorite weekend of the season in college football (rivalry week) It’s what makes college football special. Have played rivalry games early in the season at other stops too. Traditionalist so like it at the end of the season but we will play whenever and wherever. (Beamer was asked about the rivalry game possibly being on a different week of the season in the future).

— The offensive line was great. Nate Adkins was great in pass pro. Those guys were awesome because Tennessee’s defensive line is extremely disruptive. Byron Young is as good a pass-rusher as there is in this league. Spencer Rattler did a great job. Rattler gave the WRs a chance to go make a play. The WRs dominated on 50/50 balls. When something was there he took it meaning he threw the ball definitively and with confidence and got the ball where it needed to go.

— Marcus Satterfield called every single play last night.

“That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard,” Beamer said during his Sunday teleconference. “He put the game plan together along with the rest of the offensive staff and he called every single play last night.”

More here: Shane Beamer: Marcus Satterfield ‘called every single play’

— Used wristbands on defensive players to get the calls last night for the first time this season. That was to combat Tennessee’s tempo and you’re always worried about opponents stealing your signals. It helps from that standpoint but the main reason was because of the tempo of their offense. Wanted for the guys to all be on the same page and get lined up. It’s not anything new but it went well for us last night.

— Nate Adkins is a fantastic football player. He does so much for the team and for the offense. He’s tough and dependable. He works his butt off. He brings a lot for us in the run blocking game and in pass pro. He’s a good route runner too. He’s been a valuable part of our offense.

— DK Joyner is such a team guy and great young man. Love everything he is about. You’re seeing him continue to have more of a role in each game. He wasn’t 100 percent at the beginning of the season but he’s getting healthy now. He can do a ton for our offense. Have not talked to DK yet about what his plans are moving forward with a year of eligibility left.

— There were some guys who took part in the senior ceremonies who could come back next year and will have those conversations next week.

— Darius Rush has gained confidence and become a leader of this team. He was a little raw as a DB when we got here but really proud of how he’s come along.

— It was about as good as it gets from a recruiting standpoint. 1. The recruits that were there. 2. The way we played. 3. The atmosphere and celebration after. Nothing but positives from the recruits. Want to thank the fans for the atmosphere. Had about six recruits in the office today. All positive.

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