‘It’s So Ridiculous,’ ‘It’s Disrespectful’ — South Carolina HC Shane Beamer Goes Off About ‘Bullcrap Conspiracy Theories’ After Beating Tennessee

In Week 8 of the college football season, the South Carolina Gamecocks upset the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers at home 27-24. Still, in the postgame press conference, head coach Shane Beamer discussed an ongoing conspiracy theory about South Carolina’s 2022 win over Tennessee.

Shane Beamer Doesn’t Mince Words Over Several Year-Long Conspiracy Involving Tennessee

In the win over Tennessee, the Gamecocks held Volunteers quarterback George MacIntyre to 16 completions on 23 attempts for 136 yards. Through Week 8, MacIntyre has a 65.8 grade in PFN’s CFB QB Impact metric, ranking 152nd among quarterbacks.

South Carolina’s signal-caller, LaNorris Sellers, completed 18 of 32 passes for 210 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, and added 18 carries for 96 yards and two more scores. Sellers has been playing well recently, including a big road win over Florida that drew praise on social media, including top-draft-pick hype.

One of those rushing touchdowns came with 1:17 to go, tying the game 24-24. Then, as time expired, kicker Malik Orsan nailed a 48-yard field goal to win it.

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Speaking of South Carolina vs. Tennessee, these teams also played in 2022, and the Gamecocks beat them 63-38.

After that win, fans circulated conspiracy theories that former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions, who orchestrated the impermissible scouting scheme at the center of Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal, had given South Carolina defensive coordinator Clayton White Tennessee’s signals before the game.
The NCAA’s public infractions findings did not establish that Stalions shared Tennessee’s signals with South Carolina.
After the 27-24 win, Beamer addressed that theory.

“I’m sorry for saying this, but all the bullcrap conspiracy theories from the last four years, hopefully, we can put that crap to bed now,” Beamer said. “I don’t even want to give credence to it and give oxygen to it because it’s so ridiculous. But it’s disrespectful. All these conspiracy theories about the 2022 game,” Beamer continued.

Beamer was hired as South Carolina’s head coach in December 2020 and has led the Gamecocks since the 2021 season. He also held other roles at South Carolina, including outside linebackers coach, co-special teams coach, cornerback coach, safeties coach, and more, from 2007 to 2010.

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His comments on the conspiracy didn’t end there, though, continuing to say, among other things: “It’s disrespectful to our fans that were in this stadium that night. It’s disrespectful to our players and coaches that scored 63 points against them that night and held them to 38. So, I don’t know what conspiracy theories they’re gonna come up with this year. Maybe it’s the lights from the state fair, or something affected their ability to play. I don’t know.”

As for Stalions’ side, he addressed these conspiracies on the “Bunch Formation” podcast, saying he’s never met anyone at South Carolina and that they should ask Joe Milton and Hendon Hooker, two former Volunteers quarterbacks.

“… They [Hooker and Milton] know the truth. I’m tight with both of them. There was no trying to screw over Tennessee.”

The Gamecocks take the field next on the road against Oklahoma on October 31. They round out their season against Texas A&M at home, Arkansas on the road, Georgia at home, and Clemson on the road. They’re currently 4-3.

This article originally appeared on Pro Football Network.