Two blocked punts, an interception and a very efficient performance from a seasoned vet at quarterback making his Gamecock debut. Then of course, Jordan Burch delivered a 61-yard Pick 6 in the fourth quarter to make it a clear runaway. Plenty to love for South Carolina, and several reasons why Williams-Brice Stadium was rocking on Saturday night.

QB Zeb Noland looked every bit the part of a seasoned veteran when he led South Carolina to a dominant first half over Eastern Illinois. And the Gamecocks didn’t let off the gas in the second half to coast to a 46-0 victory in Shane Beamer’s debut as South Carolina’s head coach. The degree of difficulty, and environment, ramps up next week when the Gamecocks travel to East Carolina. East Carolina fell to Appalachian State on Thursday, 33-19.

It also could have been even more lopsided, as MarShawn Lloyd’s 65-yard TD was called back on a holding penalty, and Jaylan Foster’s second pick of the night was called back on an offsides penalty.

A member of the Ohio Valley Conference, Eastern Illinois fell to 0-2 after it lost last week to Illinois State in a game where the Panthers gave up 3 turnovers and 5 sacks.

South Carolina eclipsed the 300-yard mark before the fourth quarter began, and Noland was lifted after 3 quarters and finished 13-for-22 passing for 121 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Kevin Harris was held out of the game as the incumbent starting running back and reigning SEC rushing leader is recovering from a summer back procedure. Zaquandre White got the start, and continued his impressive play that began in the spring. White has held his own as Harris and Lloyd have gotten a lot of attention from fans and media. White scored on a 63-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, which put him at 12 carries for 133 yards for the game.

White also had 4 catches for 39 yards and another TD.

As impressive as Noland and the offense were, the defense suffocated EIU, which had 80 yards by 5 minutes into the fourth quarter. The defense registered 2 sacks, 4 tackles for a loss and 19 rushing yards when White scored with 10:24 remaining.

Noland was an efficient 10-for-17 passing for 95 yards and 4 touchdowns as he connected with 5 different receivers before halftime alone. The Gamecocks led 29-0 at halftime in the opening game of the Shane Beamer era in Williams-Brice Stadium. Noland also found 4 different receivers for the touchdowns, and the Gamecocks used a trick play to convert a 2-point conversion on the opening touchdown. Just what Gamecock fans hoped for to begin the Beamer era.

The Gamecocks also got 2 blocked punts as the expected upgrade on special teams thanks to Beamer’s career background paid dividends early. The Gamecocks also had 13 first downs and converted 6-of-8 third downs.

Noland, of course, is most known for his unique personal story of starting his career at Iowa State and North Dakota State, then becoming a graduate transfer at South Carolina. When incumbent starter Luke Doty went down with a foot injury, the coaching staff turned to Noland, and he won the QB competition.

Noland has impressed the coaching staff, especially Beamer and Marcus Satterfield, since the first phone call he had with them when he was interviewed for the GA job. Satterfield was so convinced that he was ready to make the hire from that conversation alone. Little did they know that he would be needed on the field in a matter of weeks, and after about a week in the practice competition, he was awarded the job.