South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer is already treading on a tightrope. With three losses in the first six games and the last defeat against LSU, the head coach stared down at a tough season. They didn’t get any respite in Week 8. The Gamecocks faced the Sooners, and the result? A 7-26 defeat. But among all the developments in the field, the absence of wide receiver Brian Rowe Jr. struck an uncanny chord.

WR Rowe Jr. is Beamer’s impact player. Over the last six games, he recorded 10 catches for 89 yards and a touchdown. As reported by The State’s Jordan Kaye, he wasn’t seen on the warmups or on the sidelines on Saturday, and as per the SEC availability report, he was listed out for the game. Adding to the mystery, other injured players were seen on the sidelines, clad in their jerseys. So, his unavailability prompted questions.

The head coach has provided a surprising update on what happened to Rowe, and it didn’t just include him. Speaking to the media after the game, Shane Beamer said that South Carolina has suspended Brian Rowe, Anthony Addison, and Devonte Miles for violating team rules. That suspension will end next week.

The three players were suspended for “a violation of team standards.” But Beamer also recognized how the team missed them today on the field. “Disappointed for them, disappointing for us. Selfish decisions that certainly affected our team today because we needed them. They’re good kids that will learn from this, hopefully, and respond the right way. I would anticipate that they’ll be back next week.”

All three players were new to the Gamecocks’ roster. Addison and Rowe were freshmen, and Devonte Miles was a transfer defensive lineman from Bowling Green. Rowe had caught 10 catches so far, with Miles and Addison registering four tackles (combined). Last season, Miles chipped in 11 tackles, 2 solo, with the Falcons.

Although he didn’t provide exact reasons for their suspension, he stated that it revolved around accountability. “Accountability is a core value of our program,” Beamer said, “And whether you’re 3-3 or 6-0, the core values and the accountability doesn’t change.”

With three players out on suspension and another two players, offensive linemen Nolan Hay and Casen Henry, South Carolina’s roster was in a shaky spot. And coach Beamer did not mince his words on the 7-26 upset on the home turf.

Shane Beamer on what went wrong

Following four losses in the season, Shane Beamer’s reaction said it all. “Not a whole lot to say about that one,” he said post-game. He is keeping it real, in a candid fashion, about what went wrong on Saturday, and pretty much about the rest of the losses. “What I just told our team, we’re not playing up to our potential right now. We’re not, I, I, I am not getting the most out of this team right now, offensively, defensively, and special teams.”

LaNorris Sellers could only chip in one touchdown pass to Harbor for two yards in the second quarter, and that was it. The NFL first-round projected Sellers had 124 yards, completing 17-of-25 attempts.

The overall offense registered 224 yards, with 54 rushing, averaging a mere 3.3 yards per play. In Beamer’s words, it was pretty disappointing. ” After the LSU loss, Beamer had fired the offensive line coach Lonnie Teasley, hoping to sort out o-line issues. But with three linemen out, the offense kept crumbling. “When you’re missing three offensive line starters … it’s not ideal. “Not being able to line up and run the ball downhill like we need to, certainly, it was a challenge to do that today,” the HC added.

The next slate of games is not a rosy picture. They have Alabama, Ole Miss, and the Aggies for the next three games.