It may have only been Eastern Illinois but the South Carolina Gamecocks were the only team in the entire SEC to keep an opponent scoreless on opening weekend.
By Steve Wright
The first test for Shane Beamer and the new version of “Beamer Ball” was passed with flying colors and it will be up to the Gamecocks to back up that effort on the road at East Carolina on Saturday.
Here are the three keys:
Beamer Ball is back
Saying that you are bringing back an identity or culture is one thing, actively making that happen is quite another. Only time will tell is Shane Beamer is going to be able to step out of the shadow cast by dad Frank, but first signs are good. “Beamer Ball” is all about playing aggressively and making impacts in all three phases of the game. Against Eastern Illinois, South Carolina blocked two punts, picked off two passes (one for a touchdown), and went 3-for-3 on fourth down. More of that on Saturday would be huge against a tricky ECU team.
Continue to support Zeb Noland
Noland – who could have had no idea a couple of months ago he would be starting this season for the Gamecocks – put in an assured performance against the Panthers. One of the reasons he was able to throw for four touchdowns on just 13 completions was the running game had Eastern Illinois completely off balance. ZaQuandre White led the stable of backs with 129 yards rushing – and that was without star back Kevin Harris who was ill. A repeat of the work on the ground will allow Noland to continue to flourish in relief of the injured Luke Doty (assuming Doty is given one more week of recovery).
Beware of Holton Ahlers
The Pirates provide a test because – if nothing else – they are an experienced and often explosive bunch on the offensive side of the ball. Quarterback Holton Ahlers has passed for over 7,300 yards in his college career and in the versatile Keaton Mitchell at running back they have a play that would start on numerous teams in the SEC. Watch for Ahlers to get the ball to Mitchell more often than in the game against Appalachian State and for the South Carolina defensive backs to face much more of a test this weekend.
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