Takeaways from South Carolina's win over Virginia Tech
- Joe Macheca
- Sep 4
- 4 min read
South Carolina football started the season off with a big win against Virginia Tech, 24-11, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The week one win was not perfect, but the Gamecocks did more than enough to get the momentum rolling in 2025.
A reunion of sorts as Shane Beamer led his South Carolina program against his alma mater and his father's legacy at Virginia Tech. It was a game many expected as the favorites South Carolina handled business, closing things out with an explosive fourth quarter.
Here are three big takeaways from week one.
Beamer Family Ball
This game had the Beamer family written all over it, aside from Frank's legacy and Shane's playing history.
South Carolina's special teams play was elite all afternoon. In week one, special teams can change a game if it is executed correctly or incorrectly. Vicari Swain made a play that changed the game with his 80-yard punt return in the 4th quarter.
Momentum seemed to swing much in favor of South Carolina. The Hokies managed a field goal on the following drive, which gave way to more Beamer magic in the game.
LaNorris Sellers would find Nyck Harbor on a post route for a 64-yard touchdown on the ensuing drive. During South Carolina's camp, Shane's son Hunter was at practice one day and Sellers did not look Harbor's way.
"So Hunter was at practice, and Mike Shula came over to Hunter and said, Hey, go tell the Norris when we call that play to throw the post, and lo and behold, that's the play that we call today," Beamer said. "And he sure as hell threw the post on that one today for a touchdown. So credit Hunter for coaching up the Norris on that one to throw the post."
The Legend of LaNorris Grows
The legend of Sellers has been running amok in Columbia for quite some time now. Now the nation is taking notice. Sellers only increased his legend with the type of plays he was making on Sunday night in Atlanta.
Sellers finished with 234 all-purpose yards with two touchdowns. Sellers broke numerous tackles and veered into contact on his touchdown run. His ability with the football is best described by his opponent, Virginia Tech defensive tackle Kemari Copeland.
"This dude LaNorris is strong as heck," Copeland said via his TikTok. "Any other quarterback I would've sacked on this play, bruh. Any other dude I would've sacked, so I'm going to give respect where respect is due. He's strong as heck, and then when I got up and tried to chase him, he's fast too."
As his opponents quickly take notice, Vegas is catching up as well.
Sellers' Heisman trophy odds skyrocketed after the performance, landing him the second betting favorite at +900 heading into week two. A ways away from his opening odds of +1800.
As Sellers continues to improve and make plays, expect the legend to reach heights even the most optimistic of South Carolina fans cannot predict.
Aliens living in South Carolina?
Beamer and South Carolina have three, potentially four or five football aliens on this 2025 roster. Sellers is the first and foremost, as he leads fellow athletic freaks Dylan Stewart and Harbor.
Starting with Harbor. He was electric for South Carolina, showing what an offseason without track can do. The 6'5 235 lb junior freak of nature had his paws all over the win in Atlanta.
Harbor was making plays all over the field the whole game, despite some not going his way. Battling through a dropped ball and a touchdown catch that was taken off the board, Harbor kept his head up.
He would finish the game with three receptions for 99 yards and the touchdown. Harbor also added a tackle on special teams. The player who was said to be video-game-like certainly proved it early in 2025.
Stewart returned in high fashion after a successful freshman campaign where he burst onto the scene, earning unanimous All-Freshman team honors.
Stewart was a menace, causing pressure and managing a signature sack. He was second on the team in tackles with six, behind what could be South Carolina's fourth alien in linebacker Fred "JayR" Johnson.
Johnson was an overlooked four-star prospect coming out of high school. He was brought in to bolster the South Carolina linebacker room, and he winds up leading it.
The freshman finished with 10 tackles and an interception in his first collegiate game. Johnson seemed to be the definitive answer to the next leading linebacker for South Carolina. If he can continue to pursue the football like he did in week one, his name will be in the same realm as Stewart's was a year ago.
South Carolina turned its focus towards the home opener against South Carolina State.
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