Three wins in a row for the Clemson football team and they will be bowling for the 27th straight season, one of the longest streaks in college football.
How fun was Chris Denson? Senior Day? That fly-over?! The photo from the helicopter ABOVE the flyover?!?! It was a great day in the valley last Saturday.
South Carolina head coach said that last weekend was the “state semi-finals” leading up to the final this weekend. The game for state supremacy. The game that splits happy homes. The game that will allow for bragging rights for the fans for an entire year. The Tigers travel down I-26 to Clemson East, also known as Williams-Brice Stadium at noon on Saturday.
Here is a look at everything you will need to know about the Tiger’s Rivalry Week Opponent, the South Carolina Gamecocks:
South Carolina Gamecocks
School Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Game Location: Williams-Brice Stadium
Time: Saturday Noon; SEC Network
2025 Record – 4-7; (1-7 Southeastern Conference)
Wins Against: Virginia Tech, South Carolina State, Kentucky, Coastal Carolina
Losses against: Vanderbilt, Missouri, LSU, Oklahoma, Alabama, Ole Miss, Texas A&M
Head Coach: Shane Beamer – 5th Season
Coach Beamer runs his program with clear intent and a steady energy. He focuses on organization, communication, and keeping his players engaged in the plan each week and they seem to buy in. His practices stay structured and efficient, and he puts real emphasis on special teams because he sees it as an edge South Carolina can control. Beamer pushes his staff to teach clean technique and simple execution rather than building something overly complicated. His approach is built on steady effort, honest messaging, and creating a locker room that stays connected. He fired his offensive coordinator, Mike Shula mid-season, sending a message that he wants to win. He wants his players to understand exactly what they are doing and why, and his message to his coaches is the same to make that happen.
Offense
Offensive Coordinators: Shawn Elliott (Run Game) – 2nd Season; Mike Furrey (Passing Game) – 2nd Season
Coaches Shawn Elliott and Mike Furrey stepped in after Shane Beamer fired Mike Shula midseason, and their job is simple. They are there to steady the offense and give LaNorris Sellers the support he needs to grow. Elliott brings structure to the run game while Furrey handles the passing side with clear teaching and direct communication. Together they focus on giving Sellers clean reads, quicker decisions, and a plan that fits him. It’s a tight operation built to help the young quarterback settle in.
South Carolina has averaged 23.5 points in their eleven games on the season (98th) with 117.5 yards rushing per game (115th) and 211.1 yards through the air (84th) for a total of 328.5 yards of offense per game through eleven games (111th)
Here is a look at the projected starters for South Carolina from their released depth chart as well as their 2025 statistics through their eleven games:
| Quarterback | LaNorris Sellers | RS Sophomore | #16 | 137 att., 268 yds, 5 TDs` | 155-251; 61.8% 2056 yds, 11 TDs, 6 Ints |
| Running Back | Oscar Adaway III (North Texas) | Graduate | #27 | 41 att. 140 yds, TD | 8 catches, 72 yds. |
| Running Back | Rahsul Faison (Utah State) | Graduate | #1 | 91 att., 433 yds, 3 TDs | 18 catches, 106 yds. |
| Wide Receiver | Nyck Harbor | Junior | #8 | 1 att. 12 yds | 24 catches, 503 yds, 5 TDs |
| Wide Receiver | Donovan Murph | Freshman | #6 | 14 catches, 197 yds, TD | |
| Wide Receiver | Mazeo Bennett Jr. | Sophomore | #3 | 10 catches, 62 yds | |
| Wide Receiver | Vandrevius Jacobs (Florida State) | RS Sophomore | #4 | 25 catches, 407 yds, 3 TDs | |
| Tight End | Jordan Dingle (Kentucky) | RS Senior | #5 | 10 catches, 136 yds. | |
| Left Tackle | Josiah Thompson | Sophomore | #74 | ||
| Left Guard | Nick Sharpe | RS Senior | #52 | ||
| Center | Boaz Stanley (Troy) | RS Junior | #50 | ||
| Right Guard | Trovon Baugh | Junior | #78 | ||
| Right Tackle | Shedrick Sarratt Jr. | Freshman | #72 |
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: Clayton White – 5th Season
Coach Clayton White has worked through a loud season, and rumors say Shane Beamer might move on from him when it ends. His defense still shows plenty of bite. The front seven is physical and steady, winning snaps with effort and clean pursuit. The defensive backs jump routes with confidence and turn shaky throws into takeaways. White keeps the group aggressive and organized, knowing they can change a game fast when they read things right and finish plays.
The South Carolina defense has given up 20.6 points through their eleven games (40th). They have given up an average of 135.0 yards on the ground (46th) and 211.6 yards through the air (57th). The Gamecocks are giving up a total of 346.6 yards thus far (46th).
Here is a look at the projected starters for the Gamecocks on defense along with stats from the their eleven games:
| Edge | Dylan Stewart | Sophomore | #6 | 31 tackles, 12 TFLs, 4.5 sacks, 3 FFs |
| Defensive Tackle | Nick Barrett | RS Senior | #93 | 38 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, FR |
| Defensive Tackle | Monkell Goodwine (Alabama) | RS Senior | #44 | 26 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 2 FFs |
| Edge | Bryan Thomas Jr. | Senior | #46 | 38 tackles, 10 TFLs, 8 sacks, 2 FFs |
| Middle Linebacker | Fred Johnson | Sophomore | #0 | 53 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, sack, Int, FR |
| Weakside Linebacker | Justin Okoronkwo (Alabama) | Sophomore | #17 | 61 tackles, 4 TFLs, Int |
| Cornerback | Judge Collier | Junior | #8 | 24 tackles, TFL |
| Strong Safety | Peyton Williams | RS Junior | #31 | 43 tackles, 0.5 TFL, 2 Ints |
| Free Safety | DQ Smith | Senior | #1 | 60 tackles, 2 TFLs, Int |
| Nickleback | Jalon Kilgore | Junior | #24 | 47 tackles, Int, 2 FRs |
| Cornerback | Brandon Cisse (NC State) | Junior | #15 | 23 tackles, 1.5 TFLs, sack, Int, FF |
Special Teams
Here is a list of the specialists for the Gamecocks along with statistics from the 2025 Season:
| Kicker | William Joyce | RS Senior | #45 | 12-15; long of 49 yds |
| Punter | Mason Love | RS Freshman | #24 | 45.1 yd avg; long of 61 yds |
| Punt Returner | Vicari Swain | RS Sophomore | #4 | 16.8 yd avg; long of 80 yds. 3 TDs |
| Kick Returner | Nyck Harbor | Sophomore | #8 | 22.1 yd avg; long of 43 yds |
Turnovers
South Carolina is Plus-7 (+7) in turnover margin on the season, having lost 5 fumbles and having thrown 9 interceptions. They have forced 10 opponent fumbles so far while intercepting 11 opponent passes. South Carolina has 14 turnovers to their opponents 21 through 11 games.
Final Thought
Legacy game for the seniors? Maybe. I think it will be a dogfight in the trenches, and the team that can run the football will control the game and likely get the win. The Tigers need to limit “bonehead” plays and busts in the secondary.
Here we go. The best rivalry game in the country is here.
Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the game.
Let’s go. Spot the ball!
