New Year’s Eve just got a little more spicy for Shane Beamer and No. 15 South Carolina! Among the five bowl games happening on the last day of the year, only Boise State vs. Penn State in the Fiesta Bowl is part of the playoff. But the intensity is on another level for the non-playoff matchups, particularly the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. See what happened inside Camping World Stadium that has the college football world wrapped in a frenzy of discussion. 

On December 31st, PFF College posted about one of the most intense bowl games, and it had to do with the HCs of South Carolina and Illinois. In the video, Shane Beamer was seen charging at Bret Bielema after he taunted him with “a substitution posture the refs do.” The caption read, “Shane Beamer charging at Bret Bielema. 😳 The Citrus Bowl is OFF THE RAILS.”

This happened late in the third quarter as the Gamecocks trailed by 10-14. Bret Bielema went close to South Carolina’s sideline to attend to his injured player. But while going back to his side of the field, he turned and gave Shane Beamer a substitution gesture. This provocation awoke the beast inside the Gamecocks HC, who started charging from across the field toward Bielema. But both sides were held back before physicality could ensue. 

Often, it puts an underdog team in a position to make audacious statements and actions when they snag a victory. No. 20 Illinois is no different, especially their HC Bret Bielema, who didn’t miss the chance to ignite what could’ve been a big blowup. The Fighting Illini entered the bowl game as a 9-point underdog only to shatter Beamer’s confidence and hope. 

A sad close to 2024 for Shane Beamer and South Carolina 

South Carolina wasn’t able to pick up pace after their initial trial, and the game ended 21-17 in favor of Illinois. Fighting Illini RB Josh McCray’s second TD of the game gave them the winning lead on Tuesday. Gamecocks QB LaNorris Sellers missed a throw in the end zone during a fourth-and-four at their opponents’ 7-yard line, giving Illinois the final possession.

As for the tension between the two HCs, it calmed down after the game. But Shane Beamer was badly shaken with fury. In his post-game speech, he addressed the incident, saying, “In all my years of coaching, I’ve never seen that happen. An opposing coach comes over while his player is hurt and basically have something to say to the opposing head coach.” 

The loss means that South Carolina has to close the season with 9-4 while Illinois secured a 10-win season for the first time since 2001. But what are your thoughts on the fiasco between Shane Beamer and Bret Bielema?