Shane Beamer sounds off on Gator Bowl referees
South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer took responsibility for an unsportsmanlike penalty issued against him late in the first half of Friday’s 45-38 Gator Bowl loss to Notre Dame.
Still, Beamer was none too pleased with the way things unfolded with two penalties called against the Gamecocks on a punt return — infractions that pinned them deep in their own territory.
Instead of starting a drive near midfield with 1:25 to go in the half, USC was backed all the way to its own 20 after those two penalties. The Gamecocks gained enough yards to get back to the 50-yard line, but the drive ended with a Spencer Rattler interception and the Gamecocks leading 24-17 at the half.
Here’s what Beamer said about a blindside block penalty called against Dakereon Joyner during a punt return by Ahmarean Bown and the subsequent flag that was thrown on Beamer.
“I didn’t see the replay but I thought it was a tough call. tough call. If DK wanted to blow the guy up, he would’ve blown the guy up. DK is (doing) what we teach with that technique. I was told it was a blindside block. Maybe it was, I don’t know.
“I saw DK trying to be a smart football player and not blow the guy up and kind of throw his back into it just to keep from getting a penalty.”
Beamer did not say exactly what drew the unsportsmanlike call, but USC’s coach was visibly upset with and loudly lashing out at the officials after the first flag was thrown on Joyner.
“I’ve got to be better. I can’t cost us 15 yards there with a penalty,” he said.
“Thank God for John McDaid and the SEC and the officiating crews we have in that league. I’ll say that.”
The Gator Bowl officiating crew members were from the Big Ten, according to FootballZebras.
Beamer continued ...
“I’m disappointed about some things that happened. A couple of those guys did our bowl game last year as well.
“I’ll say this. I don’t believe I deserved to get a flag. I hate to see it sometimes when officials try and make the game about them. I’ll be honest, a couple times in the first half, that took place.”
Those penalties were the only two for the Gamecocks in the first half. Six others were called against USC in the second half — two on the last-minute drive that was attempting to tie or win the game.
“We got talked to more in 30 minutes than we did 12 games in the SEC this season,” Beamer said. “The group of guys that were on our sidelines in the second half? Awesome, professional and all that. First half? Disappointed in some things.
“Again, I’ve got to be better. I can’t get us 15 yards penalties and I told our guys that at halftime.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2022 at 8:49 PM.
