South Carolina’s SEC opener turned into a bruising night in Williams-Brice Stadium, and Shane Beamer didn’t try to dress it up.
The Gamecocks fell 41-34 to Mississippi State on Saturday night, a result that dropped USC to 2-1 and kept Beamer from opening a season 3-0 for the first time in his South Carolina tenure. The last time the Gamecocks got to 3-0 was 2012.
“Tonight really sucks for everybody. It hurts. That locker room hurts,” Beamer said.
South Carolina had a 23-14 lead at halftime, but the game flipped hard after the break. Mississippi State stormed through the third quarter with a 17-0 edge and pushed the margin to 38-23 just a minute into the fourth. The Bulldogs ultimately outscored the Gamecocks 27-11 in the second half.
“Felt like we were just fighting an uphill battle there in the third quarter,” Beamer said.
He made clear the issue wasn’t just the result, but the way South Carolina let the game slip after controlling it before halftime.
“We work way too hard and emphasize it way too much, to not play better in the second half like we did,” Beamer said. “We’ve talked about it all year. That in this league, man, it’s a four quarter game every week.”
Beamer also pushed back on any quick conclusions about what the loss means for the rest of the season or beyond. Asked about the 2025 narrative of not finishing games and whether that could spill into 2026, he said this team should be judged on its own.
“It’s a completely different team,” Beamer said. “There’s a lot of guys that weren’t even here last year ... 2026 is a new year.
I get it. We blew a 16-point lead and it’s easy to look back and talk about the leads we blew last year.
It’s a story that’s going to be written. I get it.
This is a completely different team with unbelievable leadership. I know they’ll respond the right way.”
LaNorris Sellers had his own uneven night. South Carolina’s quarterback threw two interceptions, marking the third multi-interception game of his career. He also finished 25-for-40 for 282 yards and two touchdown passes, and helped keep the Gamecocks within striking distance late.
“Just keep getting better, like everybody,” Beamer said of Sellers. “Got some throws that he’d like to have back tonight. We all need to be better.
“We’ve got to make better throws there, but there’s a lot that goes into it: protection, route running. Give their guys credit. They had some nice calls on defense and they were in a position to make plays.”
There was one major bright spot for South Carolina in the kicking game. Malik Orsan, named the starting kicker on Thursday, delivered in a big way after never attempting a field goal in a college game before Saturday.
Orsan made all four of his field-goal tries, including two from beyond 50 yards.
“Malik had a really good week of practice and was more consistent this week in practice, and just felt like we needed to do that going into this game,” Beamer said. “Heck of a job by Malik to come out there and kick whatever it was.
I wish he hadn’t, but kick four field goals and make two 50-plus yarders. And then that field goal right there on the last drive was big time. ...
Felt good about putting him out there. And he answered the call.”
In Other News...
South Carolina Let A Winnable SEC Game Slip Away Fast
South Carolina had Mississippi State right where it wanted it at halftime, up 23-16 and with enough momentum to suggest a winnable SEC game was within reach. Instead, the Gamecocks let it slip in a hurry, with Shane Beamer openly frustrated afterward about settling for field goals instead of finishing drives in the first half.
The collapse came fast once the game flipped back on them. South Carolina managed only five yards in the third quarter while Mississippi State put up 17 points, and LaNorris Sellers two second-half interceptions turned into 10 Bulldogs points. It was the kind of loss that leaves a team thinking about what it had in hand and how quickly it got away. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolinas SEC Opener Suddenly Carries More Weight Than Expected
South Carolinas SEC opener against Mississippi State on Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium already had the feel of an early measuring stick, and now it comes with a little more weight attached. The Gamecocks are trying to get to 3-0 for the first time since 2012, which gives the afternoon a different kind of edge for a team that has looked the part early and now has to carry that into conference play at 4:15 p.m.
There is also the matter of who is expected to be on the field. Dylan Stewart, Jacarrius Peak and Carter Miller are all expected to play, giving South Carolina a better shot at starting SEC play with some continuity, while Mississippi State brings in quarterback Kamario Taylor with strong passing numbers and even a spot in the Heisman conversation. For the Gamecocks, it is the kind of opening conference test that can tell them a lot about where they really stand. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina's SEC Opener Reignited A Frustration Fans Know Too Well
South Carolinas SEC opener had all the makings of a confidence-building start before it turned into a familiar kind of frustration. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 16-point lead against Mississippi State and looked in control early, but the game shifted as the Bulldogs settled in and the home crowd watched a lead slip away.
Kamario Taylors four touchdown passes powered Mississippi States comeback in a 41-34 win, and South Carolina never found a steady answer after halftime. LaNorris Sellers threw two interceptions in the second half, the offense managed only five yards in the third quarter, and what began as a strong opening became another reminder of how quickly an SEC game can turn. [Read more 🡒]