South Carolina football coach expects to cry vs Wofford

On November 23, 2024By Littum

COLUMBIA — Days before kickoff to Senior Day, South Carolina football coach Shane Beamer already found himself getting emotional thinking about this year’s senior class.

Their final Gamecock Walk, the last time the seniors will hear “Sandstorm,” play in Williams-Brice Stadium or sing the alma mater and the fight song, when No. 19 South Carolina (7-3) faces Wofford (5-6) on Saturday (4 p.m., SEC Network+).

All these “goods” make everyone feel sentimental. Beamer said that just filming videos this week, he caught himself getting teary-eyed.

“Yeah, absolutely,” Beamer said when asked if he expects to be emotional Saturday night. “I cry during movies…not every movie, just certain ones that will get me no matter how many times I watch it.”

Saturday against Wofford will be “the opportunity to honor a really special group of seniors,” Beamer said, with celebrations beginning at 3:30 p.m.

Why this South Carolina Senior Day is so special for Shane Beamer

South Carolina has 36 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-year seniors on its roster, but not all are expected to be in the pregame ceremony as several have eligibility remaining.

This class has qualified for three bowl games the last four seasons and has a 27-21 record. It’s the first class Beamer has had in four seasons at South Carolina.

Each senior came to South Carolina for a different reason, some at different times and some even before Beamer did.

“This is the group that’s been here the longest that I wasn’t the coach they came here to play for,” Beamer said. “Guys who were part of the signing class when I was drafted and never met me.”

Players like kicker Alex Hererra, punter Kai Kroeger, starting offensive lineman Vershon Lee or starting defensive tackle Tonka Hemingway, who came to South Carolina as recruits of former coaches but invested in the Beamer era.

Defensive tackle Alex Huntley also arrived before Beamer, and Saturday is his last home game after growing up five miles from the stadium.

“Too many good memories and just trying to make more,” Huntley said, confirming that his mother, Lisa, will shed tears Saturday night.

Among the 36 are players like starting defensive tackle TJ Sanders and running back Juju McDowell, who began their Gamecocks careers at the same time as Beamer. McDowell has been thinking about his senior year since August.

“It’s been like this all season…reminiscing the memories we’ve built together,” McDowell said. “The belief system, the integrity … the trust between each other and the coaches, the camaraderie that we have.”

It’s the final home game for transfers like Kyle Kennard and Demetrius Knight, who turned into instrumental players and leaders.

Debo Williams transferred in from Delaware in Beamer’s first season, where they both grew into their respective leadership roles.

“It’s surreal, a lot of memories and things I can think about for the rest of my life,” Williams said.

Why so many South Carolina players returned for the 2024 season

When the Gamecocks beat Missouri, Huntley said games like that were why so many returned for the 2024 season.

Beamer knew after the 5-7 season last year that many could have skipped their final year of eligibility or just jumped into the transfer portal.

“This is year 4 with me and today it’s so easy to pack up, go somewhere else … they’ve all just doubled down, believed in what we’re doing, this program, and said we’re going to leave this place a better place,” Beamer said.

Now this team has a chance to finish 10-3.

“I’m so happy for them that they have the success in 2024 that they came back for, which is pretty cool,” Beamer said.

Lulu Kesin covers South Carolina athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email her at [email protected] and follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter, @Lulukesin