Beamer Ball is alive and well.

A team looking to continue the momentum it built last season when expectations were exceeded, the Gamecocks got a pair of blocked punts in the second half to bust a white-knuckle game wide open. And despite a pair of interceptions, South Carolina coasted to a 35-14 victory to open the 2022 season.

On offense, Spencer Rattler showed some of the throws South Carolina fans waited all offseason for, but the inability to consistently protect him was a bit alarming for the Gamecocks.

Coming into the game, South Carolina looked to get off to a strong start with looming games against Arkansas and Georgia. The Panthers have respect across the SEC after they won a school record 8 games last year and looked to win an opener in an SEC stadium for a second time in 4 seasons after they beat Tennessee 38-30 to start the 2019 season.

Rattler was 15-for-24 passing for 147 yards by halftime, and showed off some dazzling throws to Jalen Brooks and Juice Wells, who combined for 8 catches for 106 yards by halftime. But it was consistently being under fire that stood out, as a 1-for-8 performance on third down, as the offensive line, which returned 5 starters from last season, struggled to start the game.

South Carolina delivered a solid answer of Georgia State after the Panthers temporarily grabbed momentum coming out of halftime following an interception. The pass from Rattler was too high for Ahmarean Brown in the flat, and it glanced off his hands and was caught by Quavian White.

Then the Beamer Ball arrived.

Rashad Amos blocked a punt with 5:12 remaining, and the Gamecocks returned it for a touchdown on a scoop by DQ Smith to take a 14-point lead after a two-point conversion. That was South Carolina’s first punt block for a touchdown since the Florida game in 2000.

Then early in the fourth quarter, Trae Kenion blocked another punt, and Ahmarean Brown secured the scoop and score to give the Gamecocks a 35-14 lead with 11:30 remaining in the game.

But that was far from the only special teams highlight.

One of the bright spots of the night came on special teams when Mitch Jeter, who recently won the kicking job, nailed a 53-yarder for first attempt, which also was the 4th-longest in South Carolina history. He then added another field goal later in the first half, from 51 yards.

MarShawn Lloyd opened the scoring for the Gamecocks with a 1-yard touchdown run after they pulled off a successful fake field goal attempt. But then the extra-point was botched.

Known for special teams prowess, South Carolina didn’t waste much time to offer a wrinkle.