Shane Beamer defends coaching staff after Gamecocks offense dominates in bowl win
Shane Beamer has heard it for the past month. Why hadn’t he fired someone from South Carolina’s offensive coaching staff?
Criticism mounted — most often toward offensive coordinator Marcus Satterfield — throughout the 2021 regular season as South Carolina’s offense sputtered in losses against Power 5 opponents such as Tennessee, Texas A&M and Clemson.
The Gamecocks showed offensive efficiency in wins over Florida and Auburn, but the inconsistency kept the naysayers going.
After USC’s 38-21 win over North Carolina in the 2021 Duke’s Mayo Bowl, Beamer said any questions about the offensive staff had been answered.
The Gamecocks put up a season-best 543 yards, eclipsing 300 on the ground and with wide receiver-turned-quarterback Dakereon Joyner throwing a perfect 9-for-9.
“We had a plan of how we were going to win the football game, but I don’t think I anticipated it going that well,” Beamer said. “Credit to our offensive staff for (that).
“All I’ve heard for a month is how awful they are, and what am I doing not firing people and things like that. Well, I hope that’s a great answer for you right there. That’s why.”
South Carolina primarily went with Joyner at quarterback Thursday, sharing some snaps with Zeb Noland amid attrition in the Gamecocks’ QB room. Jason Brown had opted for the transfer portal, and it was Satterfield who first pitched the idea of using Joyner against the Tar Heels.
Beamer said Satterfield had planned on putting Joyner under center even before Brown left, even though Joyner hadn’t attempted a pass since the 2019 season.
“Really early on, even before Jason made his decision, we felt like we needed to get DK going in there,” Beamer said. “We had a month getting ready, and just the element of being able to make them defend the quarterback run game. They really hadn’t faced a quarterback this year on their schedule that ran the ball like we were going to do with DK, and he’s a talented thrower as well.”
Joyner’s nine completions went for 160 yards and a touchdown, and he added another 64 yards on 10 rushes. Joyner sparked the Gamecocks’ momentum against North Carolina early, connecting with Jaheim Bell for a 69-yard touchdown pass in the game’s first drive.
Running back Kevin Harris also tallied a season-best 182 yards against North Carolina, contributing to the Gamecocks’ 301 rushing yards.
Beamer’s answer was simple when he was asked about what went into the Joyner-Noland quarterback tandem, which worked well for the Gamecocks against UNC.
“Credit Marcus Satterfield,” Beamer said. “That wasn’t me.”
This story was originally published December 30, 2021 at 5:11 PM with the headline "Shane Beamer defends coaching staff after Gamecocks offense dominates in bowl win."
