The South Carolina Gamecocks had plenty to celebrate after a stunning 44-20 upset victory over the #10 ranked Texas A&M Aggies on Saturday night. But amid the jubilant locker room scene, the players took a moment to honor a special guest – head coach Shane Beamer’s wife Emily, who has a birthday coming up next week.
Coach Beamer’s Birthday Surprise for His Wife
Before bringing Emily into the locker room, Coach Beamer revealed his plan to the team. “I told my kids all week that if we won this football game, I was going to do a little celebration for her,” he said. The players were all in on the surprise.
A Fantasia-Inspired Serenade
With Emily in the room, the Gamecocks launched into an enthusiastic, if not entirely on-key, rendition of Fantasia Barrino’s 2006 R&B hit “When I See U”. Coach Beamer, sporting a thick black chain with the Gamecock logo, led the serenade as his wife looked on with a mix of amusement and appreciation.
And they say romance is dead
– @GamecockFB, via Twitter
Rising Star LaNorris Sellers Shines
While the locker room serenade was a highlight, the Gamecocks’ on-field performance was equally impressive. Freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers led the way with 244 passing yards and three total touchdowns. Coach Beamer praised his young signal-caller, saying “He’s special. He’s just going to get better.”
- Sellers passed for 244 yards and accounted for 3 TDs
- Also rushed for 106 yards, second only to RB Raheim Sanders’ 144
- Showed poise and growth after losses to LSU and Alabama
Dominant Defensive Effort
Not to be outdone, the Gamecocks’ defense stepped up in a major way, shutting out the high-powered Aggies offense in the second half. Key plays included:
- Stopping Texas A&M twice on 4th and 1
- Forcing a turnover from Aggies QB Marcel Reed in the 4th quarter
- Holding Texas A&M scoreless for the entire second half
Fans Storm the Field
As the final seconds ticked off the clock, the South Carolina faithful poured onto the field at Williams-Brice Stadium to celebrate the Gamecocks’ first win over a ranked opponent and SEC title contender this season. The scene was one of pure joy and excitement.
About the “When I See U” Serenade Song
For those unfamiliar with the musical selection, “When I See U” was a major hit for Fantasia Barrino in 2007. Some key facts about the song:
- Second single from Fantasia’s self-titled sophomore album
- Peaked at #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart
- Spent 9 weeks at #1 on Billboard’s Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart
- Earned Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Song
- Certified Gold by the RIAA
Fantasia, who rose to fame as the winner of American Idol season 3 in 2004, hails from High Point, North Carolina, not far from Gamecocks country. The song’s themes of love and appreciation resonated with Coach Beamer’s sweet gesture for his wife.
A Night to Remember in Columbia
From the massive upset victory over a top-10 opponent, to the heartwarming locker room serenade, it was a night that Gamecock fans and players alike will not soon forget. For Coach Beamer and his wife Emily, the post-game celebration offered a moment of personal connection amid the chaos and excitement of big-time college football.
With statement wins like this, Beamer is quickly establishing himself as one of the top young coaches in the country. And with rising stars like LaNorris Sellers leading the way, the future looks bright for South Carolina football. The Gamecocks will look to build on this momentum as they navigate the always-treacherous SEC schedule in the weeks to come.
