Breakthrough: South Carolina dominates Coastal with almost 600 yards of offense
A three-and-a-half hour therapy session took place inside Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night. An hours-long exhale to quell the mounting anxiety and frustration for this Gamecocks football program and their fan base.
Yes, it came against Coastal Carolina (6-5). No, that doesn’t matter.
For the first time since late September, South Carolina (4-7) won a football game — beating the Chanticleers 51-7.
“People (were) wondering how South Carolina was gonna respond, how are they gonna be motivated?” USC coach Shane Beamer said. “We made a pretty strong statement tonight about what this place is about and the culture in this program.”
It was also the first time since that late-September game against Kentucky that the Gamecocks played an unranked team. But this was different from South Carolina’s other three wins of the season. This was cathartic domination from a program in crisis.
Just seven days ago, Beamer sat in his postgame presser crying, trying to process this season, trying to reconcile how South Carolina blew a 27-point halftime lead to No. 3 Texas A&M.
If there was any sympathy for Beamer, it was hard to find. Many outsiders seemed to relish in the Gamecocks’ embarrassment a week earlier after watching Beamer walk into the Kyle Field tunnel at halftime, pumping up fans like his team just won the SEC title. The outcome, to some, was football karma.
It was also reason to consider everything — from the Gamecocks’ leadership to Beamer’s future at South Carolina to the chances of quarterback LaNorris Sellers staying a Gamecock beyond 2025.
Those conversations will lessen — perhaps only for a week.
“If you look in the rearview mirror,” said edge Bryan Thomas Jr., “you’re gonna crash.”
South Carolina will finish its season at Williams-Brice next week against Clemson, playing mostly for pride. The Gamecocks have no path to bowl eligibility, but a win over the Tigers would go a long way in restoring the fan base’s faith in Beamer and igniting some offseason momentum.
Saturday, though, was a solid start.
For the first time all season, South Carolina scored more than 40 points (it had 51 on Saturday), gained more than 400 total yards (579), tallied more than three offensive touchdowns (there were seven TDs Saturday) and ran for over 250 yards.
Play-caller Mike Furrey — who took over for fired offensive coordinator Mike Shula ahead of the Texas A&M game — was again impressive, and it helped that his guys executed. Jayden Sellers took a screen pass 75 yards for a touchdown on the first play from scrimmage. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers rushed for two touchdowns. As did tight end Brady Hunt, who scored on a pair of “tush push” plays at the goal line.
“Mike (Furrey) and that whole offensive staff has done a really nice job of being creative, having some fun,” Beamer said. “I mean, we put a lot of stuff on tape tonight, formation-wise. ... We had some stuff we didn’t run tonight that we’ll save for next week.”
And the defense, which fell apart in the second half against Texas A&M, was stellar. Coastal Carolina did not score an offensive touchdown (it scored on a blocked punt), and only gained 220 yards while converting on five of its 15 third-down attempts.
None of this should be all that surprising. But, given the circumstances, watching South Carolina play great football for 60 minutes was a revelation. Think about it: The Gamecocks trailed S.C. State after the first quarter earlier this year. They needed two defensive scores to pull away from Kentucky. They had not proven they could overpower anyone.
“That’s what excites me,” Beamer said. “The way our guys went out there and dominated tonight.”
For the first time all season, South Carolina fans could watch their team and feel encouraged. That’s a positive ... and it will be quickly forgotten if the Gamecocks lay an egg next week against Clemson.
Given the preseason expectations, this 2025 South Carolina team will always be thought of as a disappointment. But, boy, beating the Tigers would make this season feel a whole lot better.
“We’ve had heartbreak all season,” Beamer said. “... Happy to get a win. It’s been a minute. We know what’s coming next Saturday.”
Next South Carolina football game
- Who: South Carolina vs. Clemson
- When: Noon Saturday, Nov. 29
- Where: Williams Brice Stadium in Columbia
- Watch: SEC Network
This story was originally published November 22, 2025 at 7:29 PM.
