South Carolina Gamecocks Coach Shane Beamer is in his second year of Coaching the Gamecocks! Beamer with a 7-6 campaign in his first year, surprised a lot of critics, and excited many Gamecocks fans after a few dismal years under Will Muschamp and Steve Spurrier’s last years.
High Expectations
Expectations being high for fans in Columbia ,SC this year, many wonder if Coach Beamer can have an even better Sophomore year at the helm?
He has some experienced players coming back to play this year, like the Wide Receivers Dakeron Joyner, and Josh Vann .Coach Beamer also added the high profile quarterback Spencer Rattler. He also has a skilled Luke Doty at his disposal, making the quarterback position at South Carolina one to watch nationally!
Gamecock fans can remember another coach they had high expectations for coming into his Sophomore year like Coach Beamer is this year. That coach being the late Joe Morrison ,
Coach Morrison was of course expected to improve on his 5-6 record of his first year.
Like Coach Beamer he also had a slew of talented players like Allen Mitchell , Mike Hold, Quinton Lewis ,Thomas Dendy, Ira Hillary, and a stout defensive squad!
The Late South Carolina Gamecocks Coach Joe Morrison
Stirring Up Some ‘Black Magic’
No one realized what was going to happen after a narrow victory against the Citadel (31-24) in the opening game of Morrison’s second year!
Fans were hoping it was first game ‘jitters’ that caused a ‘scare’ against the Citadel!
Who knows if that ‘scare’ is what did it, but the Gamecocks pulled off nine straight wins! Some of those wins coming against perianal powers such as Notre Dame, Florida State, Georgia, and Michigan!
There were a few games that the Gamecocks looked like they were headed toward a defeat , but somehow, the team found a way to win with all odds against them!
Whether it was a well timed stop from the ferrous “Fire Ant” defense, or a miraculous play by the offense the Gamecocks would pull out the victory!
After the ‘Magical” comeback wins, 1984 was being touted as the year of “Black Magic’! Fans and reporters alike affectionally calling the season “Black Magic” after Coach Morrison, who wore all black on the side lines.
The Gamecocks went 10-2 in 1984 with losses coming to Navy ( only regular season loss) and Oklahoma State (Gator Bowl loss).
The 10-2 record was (at the time) the best season the South Carolina Gamecocks had seen!
Can ‘Magic’ Repeat Itself
Will Coach Beamer do as Coach Morrison did in 1984, and pull out those wins he is not expected to, can he beat perianal powers such as rivals Georgia and Clemson, can his teams make those comeback wins when and if needed to?
Only time will tell, but Gamecock Nation should be hoping there is still a little “Black Magic” left out there!
South Carolina Head Coach Shane Beamer
1 Comment
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