South Carolina Football: 3 takeaways from win over Eastern Illinois

The Defensive Line Stopped the Panthers

With his team’s resounding shut-out, 46-0, Shane Beamer made program history against the Pirates. He became the first coach in school history to win his first game with a shut-out score. South Carolina’s defense shut Eastern Illinois down every possession-the Panther’s longest possession was only seven plays.

The Gamecocks ended the game with two interceptions on the books; however, they actually had four. The two that didn’t go on the record were interception touchdowns that were nullified by penalties. Had those scores not come off of the board, the Gamecocks would have had at least 12 more points at the end of the game. Jaylan Foster recorded one of the interceptions, and Columbia native, Jordan Burch, recorded the other with a touchdown.

At halftime, the Gamecocks held the Panthers to just eight rushing yards and 33 passing yards for 41 total yards versus their 213 total yards; 118 rushings and 95 passing. South Carolina football had put 449 total yards on the books by the game’s end while holding Eastern Illinois to just 109 total yards. The Gamecocks didn’t give the Pirates many opportunities to move the ball.