What Shane Beamer about win over Coastal, offense’s big day, USC injuries
With a 3-7 record and two games left in the season headed into Saturday’s game against Coastal Carolina, the only objective left on the table for South Carolina football was to finish the season on a high note and turn the page to what head coach Shane Beamer and company hope is a better campaign in 2026.
USC got off to a good start toward its newest goal with a 51-7 win against the Chanticleers (6-5) in Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks (4-7) put up a season-high 579 yards of offense in the game.
“This was not easy. And I know everything thinks ... you’re just supposed to roll in there and win,” Beamer said. “Really good in two phases tonight with the way that we played, and a lot to build on as we continue to get better. ... Happy to get a win. It’s been a minute.”
Here’s everything Beamer said after the win:
Bouncing back
It’s been a hard season for the Gamecocks. Once ranked No. 10 in the nation, USC faced shortcoming after shortcoming throughout the year and never seemed to get every aspect of the game clicking for a full four quarters. These disappointments culminated in a 31-30 loss to Texas A&M last week.
Despite the heartbreak USC has experienced this season, Beamer said seeing his players respond in practice gave him faith the Gamecocks’ potential best was still in front of them.
“I can’t express how hurt and devastated that locker room was last Saturday. I mean, that was really, really hard, and how quiet that plane ride was back from College Station on Saturday night,” he said. “I walked off the field [last Sunday] saying, ‘We’re gonna be OK.’ I feel that way every Sunday when we come off the practice field, and if we didn’t, I’d be concerned. But you know how they’re going to respond.”
Travian Robertson’s return
One of the biggest obstacles USC faced as a team this season was playing without defensive line coach Travian Robertson. He was involved in a fatal car accident in August and spent much of season away from the team as he recovered and went through multiple surgeries.
Robertson returned on Saturday. He joined the team for Gamecock Walk and on the field pregame, before retaking his place up in the box and on the headset.
“He had been out to practice a little bit more this week, actually, on the field, where he was able to stand. ... George Wynn, our director of operations, came in my office and said something about, ‘Do you realize Travian’s planning on being at the game Saturday and in the box?’” Beamer said. “I was like, ‘No, I didn’t. Has he been cleared medically to do that?’ and he had been, and he wanted to be there.”
“It’s been an emotional year in a lot of ways, so to be able to see Travian be back out there tonight, be at the hotel with us for pregame deal today, go through Gamecock Walk and then be on the headphones tonight, and then in the locker room after the game celebrating was pretty, pretty cool. We’ve missed him because our defense pitched a shutout tonight. Wish he had been here before now,” Beamer added.
Injury report
As anticipated, defensive back Jalewis Solomon and wide receiver Nyck Harbor missed the game with injuries. But an unexpected Gamecock was sidelined against Coastal: sophomore edge rusher Dylan Stewart.
Stewart was seen in sweats on the sideline during the game. Beamer said postgame Harbor and Stewart should be good to go for next week’s game against Clemson.
“Nyck was not able to go tonight, not totally cleared. He ran the other day, and ran fast the other day, so we’re hopeful that he’ll be fine for next Saturday,” Beamer said. “Dylan kind of had something aggravated him. That was the question mark before the Ole Miss game, when we had him questionable in the injury report the Friday night before the game. He practiced in a limited role this week, but just didn’t feel quite able to go. But I think he’ll be fine for Saturday [against Clemson].”
Mike Furrey’s offense
Interim play caller Mike Furrey has turned around the USC offense since taking over for Mike Shula before the Gamecocks’ bye week. USC’s offense has set season-highs for total yards in back-to-back games under Furrey against Texas A&M and Coastal Carolina. It was also the first time this season the Gamecocks scored more than three offensive touchdowns in a game.
Beamer said he’s been happy with Furrey’s overall performance as interim OC in two games.
“I felt really good. ... Overall, I thought we did a thought we did a nice job. We gave them some unusual formations, and had to make them adjust to some things,” Beamer said. “Give (Texas A&M) credit, but we lost that game last week because we did not execute well in the second half, just simply doing our jobs on certain plays. And again, that falls back on me, so that was a big point this week. Just don’t try and do too much. Just go out there and do your job and execute. And we did, for the most part.”
One more game
The Gamecocks’ season finale is set for noon next Saturday as USC hosts rival Clemson in the Palmetto Bowl. The Tigers are 6-5 on the year and will do something the Gamecocks can’t this season — participate in a bowl game — regardless of the result Nov. 29.
“We certainly are going to enjoy the heck out of this one, and then we know what’s coming next Saturday at noon, and it will be an awesome environment,” Beamer said. “Got a big challenge against those guys, but we’ll worry about them tomorrow.”
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 8:38 PM.
