What began as a promising year for South Carolina football, ranked No. 13 in the nation to open 2025, ended in a disappointing 4-8 finish, marking the lowest point of the Shane Beamer era.
Despite securing just one SEC victory in his fifth year, Beamer will remain in charge for a sixth season, athletic director Jeremiah Donati confirmed to The Greenville News on Nov. 26.
South Carolina’s 28-14 loss to Clemson summed up the entire season: late-game collapses, offensive stagnation, and missed opportunities in key moments.
LaNorris Sellers takes a step back
Quarterback LaNorris Sellers now faces a crossroads — return, transfer, or declare for the NFL draft — after seeing major declines in passing yards, total touchdowns, and rushing production. Meanwhile, the sacks skyrocketed to 42, second-most in the nation.
Sellers was pressured on 41.1% of his dropbacks, and a quarter of those pressures resulted in sacks. Protection issues once again defined South Carolina’s offense, leading Beamer to fire offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley on Oct. 12.
Since 2023, Beamer’s quarterbacks have consistently ranked among the most-sacked in the SEC.
Offensive line struggles across the board
Run blocking graded 51.2 by PFF — 121st of 136 FBS teams — and the Gamecocks averaged just 111.1 rushing yards, ranking 120th nationally. Four games saw fewer than 54 total rushing yards, including an astonishing –9 vs. Missouri.
Pass protection wasn’t much better, earning a 62.7 PFF grade (89th).
Fourth-quarter woes define the season
South Carolina averaged 22.7 points per game, sitting 14th in the SEC. They went scoreless for at least one full quarter in 10 games, and in seven games, they failed to score in two quarters.
The fourth quarter was a recurring nightmare: zero points in the final period seven times, with only 35 fourth-quarter points all season — 14 of those coming in Week 1, including a punt return TD by Vicari Swain.
The Gamecocks entered the fourth quarter within a touchdown or leading in 10 games, but won only four.
Beamer admitted on Nov. 29 that late-game execution must improve:
“We have to be better in the fourth quarter.”
Defense held firm but faltered in key moments
Coordinator Clayton White had the defense competing, but breakdowns proved costly. South Carolina surrendered 28 unanswered points to Texas A&M after leading 30-3, then lost a fourth-quarter lead to Alabama, giving up 15 points in the final frame.
Against Missouri, the defense posted a 55.9 tackling grade with 14 missed tackles, its worst outing of the season.
Overall, the unit allowed 353 yards per game, ranking 10th in the SEC — slightly better than Vanderbilt, but hamstrung by an offense that struggled to keep pace.
