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It is days like Saturday where Shane Beamer has to wish his team played an NFL schedule. Could they play until January? Maybe a 17-game schedule?

Just a little more time. Please. Because for three straight games now, South Carolina has looked like one of the best teams in America.

It has a bruising rushing attack that seems bound to pop a firework twice a game. It has a defense that looks like a bonfire inside a beehive — so much chaos in such little space. The Gamecocks are suffocating, relentless destructors. No. 24 Vanderbilt figured that out Saturday.

South Carolina (6-3, 4-3 SEC) came out of Nashville with a 28-7 win and became bowl-eligible for the first time in two seasons.

“It’s extra special tonight just coming off the (5-7) season we had last year,” Beamer said. “Very few people thought we would — I saw a lot of those preseason projections and they certainly didn’t have us winning six games this season.”

This Commodores (6-4, 3-3 SEC) are like the little engine that could. Led by their 6-foot, 207-pound quarterback Diego Pavia, they have already beaten No. 1 Alabama, Kentucky, Virginia Tech and were within a field goal of knocking off No. 5 Texas. This team makes magic. Leave the door open and you leave open the possibility of Pavia doing something insane to put his team back in the game.

Well, South Carolina kept that thing super-glued.

It shut out Vanderbilt in the first half, highlighted by a forced fumble and recovery by edge rusher Kyle Kennard in the red zone. In the second half, Pavia was phenomenal and found the end zone out of the gate. He had a spark. Then South Carolina turned over the Commodores on downs the next two drives.

It was over. And the stats don’t tell the whole truth.

Yes, the Gamecocks sacked Pavia just twice, but sadly there is no stat for how many times a quarterback has to retreat back 30 yards, spin out of a tackle then just heave the ball toward the moon. That seemed to occur about every other play Saturday.

“We hold the defense to a different-type of standard,“ linebacker Debo Williams said. “Like, they ain’t scoring. We’re mad they got seven (points).”

It was, yet again, another night where it felt like South Carolina’s defense could beat anyone in the country. Another night where the LSU and Alabama losses loom large because, if the Gamecocks won just one of those, they’d be in the playoff conversation.

Unfortunately, the time machine doesn’t exist. If it did, though, Rocket Sanders might be in the front of the line.

The Gamecocks running back, who transferred from Arkansas this offseason, dealt with injuries for the first part of the season and was just mundane. Heading into November, he had racked up just 426 yards on the ground. Some put the blame on his offensive line — and that’s fair — but Sanders lacked explosion.

Then came the bye week. Sanders said he spent hours on the Stairmaster, which doesn’t seem like the secret formula to the foundation of youth, but Sanders may have begun some studies. Since that bye week, he has totaled 270 rushing yards, 144 receiving yards and five total touchdowns.

“The key thing is trusting it,” Sanders said. “On the field, just trusting it. And being very coachable helped me out a lot.”

Against Vanderbilt, he made the Commodores defenders look like they were on the Stairmaster, averaging over 8 yards per carry. He was zigging and zagging his way all over the field, hitting the hole with an urgency and fierceness that was lacking early on.

South Carolina now has three more regular-season games and a bowl game remaining. If they win out, the Gamecocks will reach 10 wins for just the fifth time in school history. After these past two weeks, it doesn’t seem impossible.

This story was originally published November 9, 2024, 7:25 PM.

After a 28-7 win over Vanderbilt, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer said he was proud of his team’s performance and spoke to the media following the game at FirstBank Stadium in Nashville.

“Really, really proud of our football team coming into this stadium. This ain’t an easy place to play for a lot of reasons,” Beamer said. “To come in here against another ranked team and have another three-touchdown win over an SEC team, to become bowl-eligible as well, to become the first South Carolina team since 2011 to win three SEC road games is a huge accomplishment. Just really, really happy for our guys.

“Everyone thought there’d be a letdown coming off last week. To come in here and know it was gonna be a tough, gritty, hard game just because of the way Vandy plays football — it’s really satisfying for us as a football team.

“We’ve got a lot more to accomplish in these next three games: our final SEC home game of the year, our final SEC game of the year next week back in Williams-Brice

“But awesome night tonight. And thanks to our fans, it sounded like Williams-Brice Stadium in there at times tonight. For it to be a sold-out crowd here at Vanderbilt, but the most noise was made by the Carolina fans throughout the night — best fans in the world and grateful for them.”

Beamer told reporters that starting safety DQ Smith “tweaked something” in pregame warmups and had to be replaced in the lineup by Peyton Williams. Starting offensive tackle Josiah Thompson was injured in the game and has a lower body issue, Beamer said. “I hope Josiah’s OK. I don’t think it’s anything serious.”

“I like the way that we responded to adversity, whether it be the defense when Vanderbilt was in scoring position ... we did a really good job,” Beamer said.

Vanderbilt pushed the ball to the USC 40-yard line or closer on three different occasions without putting points on the board.

“We’ve got a special group of guys, and that’s what I’m so excited about,” Beamer said, referring making a bowl game this year. “I mean, it’s like last year not going to a bowl game. And one of the biggest reasons is, obviously, we were 5-7.

“But not having another month with that team, because that team was so much fun to coach. So I just told the locker room, it’s so awesome that we get at least another month together as a football team after the end of the regular season.”

After defeating then-No. 10 Texas A&M in Williams-Brice Stadium last week, USC wasn’t placed on either the AP Top 25 or the College Football Playoff rankings, to the surprise of Beamer.

“The people that do the rankings don’t think we’re worth the crap, and that’s fine,” Beamer said. “Keep crapping on us. That’s the way we like it as well. Don’t rank us this week. We’re good where we are.

“We just like to just lay low and work really, really hard and come out and have fun on Saturdays as well.”

“I promised Sir Big Spur I would do this: Disappointed that Sir Big Spur’s not here. I think it’s ridiculous,” Beamer said. “This is the only place, apparently, in the SEC that doesn’t allow live mascots in the stadium.

“And that’s what makes this league special... The fact that LSU can have a freaking tiger at their stadium tonight, and we can’t bring Sir Big Spur.

“So Sir Big Spur came over and gave us a send-off before we left the facility yesterday, and I told him I would say hello to Sir Big Spur in the press conference. So, we miss you guys. Come off Vandy. Do better.”

Since Vanderbilt won’t let live mascots attend their games we went to campus to send off @GamecockFB today. I gave them a message to deliver. Go #Gamecocks!Leave no doubt!!!! pic.twitter.com/7rjypLNnMG

— Sir Big Spur (@2001sirbigspur) November 9, 2024

This story was originally published November 9, 2024, 8:40 PM.

A roundup of Friday night’s action as final week of regular season for public schools and first round of the SCISA playoffs.

The Seahawks (8-2) wrapped up their most successful regular season in a decade with a dominating performance on Friday night.

Hilton Head Island has won eight games for the first time since 2015 when it had a 10-win season. The Seahawks will host a first-round playoff game in the 4A playoffs next week.

Seahawk running back Troy Timko rushed for 270 yards and three touchdowns. Thaddeus Czarnecki added 127 yards and a TD. QB Derrick Raniszewski threw a TD pass and ran for one.

Carson Haines caught three passes for 63 yards and a TD.

Bluffton also will be in the Class 4A playoffs.

Owen Mayers threw a TD pass and ran for one as the Barons defeated JP2 in the first round of the SCISA 3A playoffs.

Jackson Bonser kicked three field goals for Wilson Hall.

Alan Wolf had a TD run and Connor Brown threw a TD pass to Jackson Sanders for the Warriors’ scoring.

Quarterback Reid McCollum threw three touchdown passes and ran for three as HHCA defeated Florence Christian in the first round of the SCISA 3A playoffs.

Hilton Head Christian will travel to Wilson Hall in the semifinals next week.

Sam Strum caught two TD passes and Harry Cunningham had one for HHCA.

Tony O’Banner ran for three touchdowns and Kiran Boggs threw two touchdown passes as the Rebels advanced in the SCISA Class A playoffs.

THA will host Dorchester Academy next week.

Nicolas Robinson and Donovan Robinson each had TD runs for THA. Gibson also returned a fumble for a touchdown.

Ridgeland finished off a win in the game that was suspended in October and made up on Friday night.

Ridgeland will host a first-round game against Scott’s Branch next week.

Regular season

Abbeville 48, McCormick 6

Batesburg-Leesville 8, Strom Thurmond 7

Blackville-Hilda 35, Ridge Spring-Monetta 12

Boiling Springs 41, Eastside 0

Cane Bay 28, Berkeley 23

Carolina Forest 49, North Myrtle Beach 24

Chapin 35, White Knoll 34

Chesnee 47, Blacksburg 13

Christ Church 34, St. Joseph’s 14

Clinton 42, Liberty 22

Conway 49, St James 35

Daniel 42, Seneca 21

Dutch Fork 24, Irmo 14

Fairfield Central 45, Mid Carolina 13

Fountain Inn 35, Laurens 14

Gaffney 27, Spartanburg 24

Greenville 49, Easley 21

Greenwood 35, Mauldin 13

Greer 51, Travelers Rest 0

Hilton Head Island 42, Bluffton 7

JL Mann 35, Woodmont 6

Mountain View Prep 48, Union County 7

Myrtle Beach 35, Socastee 23

Newberry 33, Silver Bluff 21

North Augusta 20, Gray Collegiate 17

Palmetto 57, Carolina High and Academy 6

Pendleton 26, Blue Ridge 0

Pickens 52, Berea 0

Powdersville 44, Southside Christian 0

River Bluff 24, Lexington 10

Riverside 44, Wade Hampton 20

Saluda 57, American Leadership Academy 0

Stratford 21, Goose Creek 14

Sumter 49, Ridge View 6

TL Hanna 43, Hillcrest 21

Ware Shoals 36, Whitmire 34

West Florence 53, Spring Valley 12

Westside 61, Southside 0

Woodruff 35, Broome 14

Wren 42, Emerald 25

Thursday

Gilbert 52, Aiken 7

South Aiken 40, Airport 27

SCISA Playoffs

Class 4A

Hammond 35, Cardinal Newman 6

Augusta Christian 17, Ben Lippen 7

Porter-Gaud 44, Heathwood Hall 13

Northwood 49, Laurence Manning 20

Class 3A

Wilson Hall 25, John Paul II 14

Hilton Head Christian 42, Florence Christian 7

Pinewood Prep 49, Trinity Collegiate 13

Northside Christian 53, First Baptist 28

Class 2A

Pee Dee Academy 56, Spartanburg Christian 19

Greenwood Christian 28, St. John’s Christian 14

Calhoun Academy 42, Hilton Head Prep 27

Bethesda 36, Orangeburg Prep 0

Class A

Thomas Heyward 55, Lee Academy 12

Dorchester 45, Colleton Prep 7

Williamsburg Academy 55, Patrick Henry 6

Beaufort Academy 23, Carolina Academy 21

8-Man

Richard Winn 51, Newberry Academy 16

Wardlaw 46, Holly Hill 44

Jefferson Davis 46, WW King 22

Laurens Academy 56, Cross Schools 22

It’s not just monkeys that Beaufort County residents should be on the lookout for. Portuguese men-of-war, jellyfish-like blobs that pack a painful sting, have washed onto beaches north and south of Hilton Head Island.

Several men-of-war were spotted on Sullivan’s Island beaches Tuesday and Wednesday, and Tybee Island officials said multiple sightings were reported Friday morning.

The creatures’ barbed tentacles carry venom that can paralyze small fish and crustaceans. Their stings are excruciatingly painful for humans, causing flares of red welts, swelling and sometimes other symptoms like nausea, difficulty breathing and bodily chills. A man-of-war can sting even days after its death, so poking the colorful creatures is highly discouraged.

If stung, beachgoers should soak the affected area in hot water and seek further medical attention, according to Hilton Head’s beach patrol. Sightings should be reported to lifeguards or local officials.

Despite its translucent appearance and long tentacles, the Portuguese man-of-war isn’t a jellyfish — it’s not even a single organism. Each man-of-war is a fusion of individual polyps, each serving a specialized purpose. One polyp makes up the purple-blue, gas-filled float that bobs on the ocean’s surface, while others comprise feeding tentacles, defensive tentacles or reproductive organs, according to the South Carolina Department of Resources.

As of Friday afternoon, Hilton Head lifeguards had not received any reports of man-of-war sightings, according to Shore Beach Service director Mike Wagner.

Portuguese men-of-war are typically found in tropical or sub-tropical waters, but currents frequently wash the species onto South Carolina beaches during the winter months. Dozens of the purple-blue blobs were found on Hilton Head beaches in December 2022.

As of Friday afternoon, no men-of-war sightings had been publicly reported in Beaufort County. A spokesperson from SCDNR could not immediately be reached by phone for confirmation.

Hardeeville City Council gave an initial green light for a 46.2 acre-development known as Hardee Station, which will include a Buc-ee’s — a chain of travel centers from a small town in Texas outside of Houston. It will be located at Exit 8 between Highway 17, U.S. 278 and I-95.

During Thursday night’s meeting, Mayor Harry Williams said the widening of I-95 and the addition of a light at Highway 17 and U.S. 278, which are projects led by the South Carolina Department of Transportation, would be completed by 2028. He also mentioned plans for a ribbon-cutting event with “some beavers from Texas” will take place at the same time.

In a unanimous vote, the council passed three separate ordinances on first reading, with a second and final vote on the development plan scheduled in two weeks.

Rumors have been circulating for weeks on social media about the possibility of a Buc-ee’s in Hardeeville after the mayor teased the travel center during the State of the Region event last month.

For decades, the stores could only be found throughout Texas, but in recent years they have expanded throughout the Southeast. The only other Buc-ee’s in South Carolina is located in Florence off of I-95. The chain is known for many things: their beaver mascot, their walls filled with fresh jerky, cherry sours and fudge, their breakfast tacos and jalapeno cheddar koloches.

The development will also boast walking and bike trails, electric vehicle charging stations and a dog walking area, according to representatives at the meeting.

During public comment, Valarie Guzman, a city council member, read aloud an email she received from a concerned resident. Ansley Fagan, a four-and-a-half-year Hardeeville resident, wrote that she was excited about the growth in the area, but that she was worried about the worsening of already dangerous driving conditions and traffic on U.S. 278.

“I have serious concerns about the concentration of vehicle traffic and traffic that is about to hit the 278, 17 area,” she wrote.

A Friday press release from the city stated, “This exciting development is set to become a significant economic driver for the region, enhancing the city’s reputation as a thriving hub for commerce and travel in South Carolina... The new store is expected to create approximately 200 new employment opportunities, ranging from entry-level positions to managerial roles, providing a boost to the local job market and offering stable, competitive wages.”

This story was originally published November 8, 2024, 2:34 PM.