Shane Beamer spoke with the media as the Gamecocks have just one more practice ahead of Saturday’s spring game, and the South Carolina coach laid out the format and his expectations for Saturday night’s event.

Beamer said plenty of his young players need the experience of playing in front of a crowd in Williams-Brice Stadium, partly because college football doesn’t have a preseason. Beamer said the format will be a “true game” as the Gamecocks will break the teams up and have starters on both sides. There will be 4 quarters with special teams work as well.

“I put a lot of stock in it, because I do believe … there’s something to be said for guys that when the lights come on, they take their game to another level,” Beamer said. “We’ve talked about it the last 2 Saturdays, just going into the stadium for scrimmages, that when we go into that stadium, it needs to be a different mentality. It’s for real, and it’s like a game and some guys step up, and some guys disappear.”

Beamer said the spring has been an opportunity for several players because of teammates being injured, or not enrolled yet, especially at tight end, for example.

“You realize there’s not a full arsenal out there, but what a great opportunity for the guys that have been out there to really step up and show what they can do with increased reps and increased opportunities,” he said.