Why South Carolina’s win over Oklahoma was ‘extra special’ for Shane Beamer

This game was always going to have a little extra meaning for Shane Beamer. Even going back to when the 2024 schedule initially came out, he was already receiving questions about what this day would be like for him.

In the days leading up to the game, Beamer was asked more questions about it. He shared his best memories and appreciation for the place that helped him get to where he is now. And now, he has a new memory to add to the list.

In Beamer’s first game back at Oklahoma since his time as an assistant from 2018-20, South Carolina picked up a dominant 35-9 win over the Sooners on Saturday.

“I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t extra special, coming back to a place that I have so many amazing memories at personally,” Beamer said after the win. “Personally the time I came here, not to get sappy as a dad, but we had a nine year old daughter and a young son when we moved here.

“And now that nine year old daughter’s driving and taking the PSAT, and the son is criticizing coaching decisions and things like that. So I think back to them, how little they were when we were here, and the great memories we had, without a doubt.”

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As Beamer exited the field after the win, the scene was very similar to that of a 31-6 road win over Kentucky earlier in the year. With plenty of Gamecock fans who made the halfway across the country trip on hand, Beamer was serenaded with cheers. Though, there weren’t any “Beamer Ball” chants this time around.

But still, it was a very similar feeling for him. A place that he called home for nearly three years. He worked as an assistant head coach and tight ends coach under then-head coach Lincoln Riley in Norman. He’s always shown a great appreciation for what his time here meant to him. And that remained the same being back on Saturday.

“It was cool seeing so many players that I coached when I was here,” Beamer said. “Woodi Washington was a player when I was here. Jeremiah Criddell is a coach on their staff, Nick Basquine, Caleb Kelly. Seeing Rodney Anderson, who was one of our running backs when I was here, and had a tragic knee injury that cut short one of his seasons. I mean, there’s just so many cool memories here, professionally and personally.”

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While the win undoubtedly meant a lot to Beamer, he was happier to see South Carolina put on a great performance. The Gamecocks forced four turnovers while not giving the ball away at all on offense. By halftime, they were ahead by 29 points and held onto the lead from start to finish.

“Whether I had coached here or not, this would have been one of the more special wins in my time here,” Beamer said, “because of the way that our guys played, the way they responded, coming off a bitter disappointment last week, and then just came right back to work and got better this week. That’s what makes it even more special.”

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