South Carolina Pulls Away Late in “Beamer Bowl”

Atlanta, Georgia - For almost a quarter century, Virginia Tech was a true college football powerhouse.

Frank Beamer’s Hokies made a bowl game in 23 consecutive seasons, reaching double digit wins in nearly half of those campaigns. His teams were known for their grittiness and special teams dominance, earning the mantra “Beamer Ball.”

Fast forward to the Hokies 2025 season opener and the biggest play of the game was fittingly made by the special teams in the form of an 80 yard punt return for a touchdown. However, the celebrating sideline is now opposite of Virginia Tech.

Behind a brilliant defensive effort and a memorable special teams touchdown, Gamecock head coach Shane Beamer led #13 South Carolina past Virginia Tech 24-11 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium at the Aflac Kickoff Game.

For some squads, staying within two possessions of the #13 team in the country would be reason for optimism. However, Virginia Tech has expectations far higher and has seen this same movie too many times in recent years.

“We’re disappointed in the outcome and there are no pats on the back,” Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry said after the game. “Too many self-inflicted errors, untimely penalties and drops.”

Pry is right on the money.

With just over five minutes left in the first quarter, Virginia Tech quarterback Kyron Drones threw a pick into the endzone against triple coverage, foiling an explosive 70 yard drive.

Midway through the second quarter Drones failed to connect with running back Marcellous Hawkins on a simple dump off that would have been a first down and much more. Punt.

Early in the third quarter, Hokie receiver Takye Heath muffed an easy pitch and catch, right at the sticks on a third and medium near midfield. Punt.

Later in the third, Virginia Tech wide receiver Donovan Greene got into it right in front of the South Carolina sideline following a seven yard sack. Greene got hit with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, pushing the Hokies firmly out of field goal range. Punt.

Somehow, Virginia Tech still only trailed 10-8 heading into the fourth quarter. That changed after Vicari Swain housed the aforementioned punt return to finally put South Carolina up two possessions. What I hadn’t mentioned was that Virginia Tech had already successfully punted, but had to send their special teams unit out to punt again due to an illegal formation on the first go round.

These mental lapses seem fixable, but the Hokies have been searching for answers this problem for years now and still have nothing to show for it.

The mental lapses explain how Virginia Tech can win so many statistical categories and still find a way to lose a game.

The Hokies had more first downs, more total yards and won the time of possession battle by almost 10 minutes. They just couldn’t find a way to put seven points on the board to cap off a strong drive.

“(We were) not good enough in the redzone,” Pry conceded. “You gotta have touchdowns down there.”

Quarterback Kyron Drones struggled mightily, going 15/35 and tossing two picks. Once the Hokies crossed midfield, Drones went just 1/13. No wonder the Hokies were unable to find the endzone.

The Hokies saving grace, that both kept them in the game and kept hopes alive for the rest of their season, is the promise their defense showed.

After surrendering a seven play 75 yard touchdown drive on South Carolina’s opening series, the Hokies defense locked in and gave the team every chance to win.

“We mixed coverages up and changed fronts up on them,” Pry said. “We had him (South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers) hesitating up there. I think that gameplan was the right one. It showed a foundation of who we can be.”

South Carolina didn’t score another offensive touchdown until past the midway point of the fourth quarter, and wound up falling over a touchdown short of their scoring average from the previous season.

Particularly strong is the Hokies defensive line, who wrecked the Gamecocks entire rushing offense, sacked Heisman hopeful LaNorris Sellers four times and (mostly) kept him caged in the pocket to neutralize his legs.

The play of the game for the Hokies was undoubtedly Kelvin Gilliam and Kody Huisman scoring the first points of the season for Virginia Tech via a safety.

Virginia Tech defensive lineman Kemari Copeland credits new defensive coordinator Sam Siefkes for the dominance this group showed.

“Coach Seifkes does a real good job letting the D line get one on ones,” Copeland said. “Playing so many fronts, it’s hard to guess or anticipate what we’re going to do.”

Unfortunately it has been very easy to anticipate what the Hokies were going to do in recent seasons. Play up to their opponents and keep games close, but ultimately shoot themselves in the foot and fall short down the stretch.

While this team proved its talent and showed flashes of the team it could be, it did little to ease concerns that this squar isn’t just another iteration of its underwhelming 2024 self.