University of South Carolina coach turned quarterback Zeb Noland threw for 4 touchdowns on 13 completions as the Gamecocks beat Eastern Illinois 46-0 this past Saturday.

It was the debut for South Carolina coach Shane Beamer. He promised “Beamer Ball” just like his dad Frank Beamer played at Virginia Tech and his team delivered, holding the Panthers (0-2) to 109 yards and getting its first shutout in 13 years.

“What a night,” Beamer said. “1st of all, it’s awsome to have college football back - the packed crowd and College Gameday and SEC Nation and fans and the band and the cheerleaders... the energy in here tonight was unbelievable, kudos to our fans...the Cockpit down there tonight was amazing kudos to them and our entire stadium.

“The emotion of tonight was awesome, I’m so appreciative...what a special night. A lot to build upon, a lot of good, a lot to correct, obviously, but so happy for our players...the most rewarding part was seeing the smile on their faces...I love coaching these guys, I love being the head coach of South Carolina.”

The Gamecocks version of Beamer Ball blocked 2 punts, picked off 2 passes with 1 going back for a 61-yard touchdown, ran a successful 2-point trick play with the kicking team on the field after their 1st touchdown, converted all 3 4th downs it tried including a 4th-and-goal from the 3, had 2 sacks and hit hard.

“People talk about Beamer Ball — that’s what it was. You have the ability to score on offense, defense or special teams no matter who is on the field. We want to have that mentality,” Shane Beamer said.

Beamer, 44, brought joy and enthusiasm to a team that had lost six in a row and 11 of its past 14 games — at least for a night and against a Football Championship Subdivision opponent.

Beamer won his opener with an unusual quarterback. Noland came to Columbia this spring to be a graduate assistant after playing 7 games for North Dakota State in a season delayed to spring 2021 because of COVID-19.

Up next for South Carolina is a noon road trip Saturday to Greenville, NC to face East Carolina. The game will air on ESPN2.