South Carolina's Beamer likely to face one-time recruit in Missouri quarterback Drew Pyne

South Carolina coach Shane Beamer remembers watching a lot of quarterback Drew Pyne a few years back. Beamer anticipates seeing a lot more of Pyne this weekend.

Pyne, Missouri's backup behind injured starter Bry Cook, is prepping to start for 24th-ranked Tigers (7-2, 5-2 Souastern Conference) when y take on No. 23 South Carolina (6-3, 4-3) on Saturday.

Beamer was an assistant for Oklahoma when Pyne was Sooners' top quarterback prospect. Gamecocks coach recalled first recruiting trip Sooners coach Lincoln Riley ever sent him on was to New Canaan, Connecticut, to watch Pyne as a high schooler.

“He was our top quarterback that we were recruiting at Oklahoma,” Beamer said this week.

Beamer and Oklahoma lost out to Notre Dame, where Pyne started 10 games in 2022. He n went to Arizona State last season before joining Tigers.

Missouri coach Eli Drinkwitz said Cook's availability — he got hurt two games ago midway through loss to Alabama — would not be known until later in week. But Tigers would plan for Pyne to start once more.

Pyne subbed in against Alabama and threw three interceptions in a 34-0 loss two weeks ago. He tossed three touchdowns in 30-23 win over Oklahoma. Drinkwitz said Pyne has settled into position more reps he's gotten and is confident that progression will continue through practice and into game with South Carolina.

“I think that’s just going to be a little bit easier and easier each week, as we repeat some of same plays,” Drinkwitz said. "Different ways, but same plays.”

Cook's string of 35 straight starts for Missouri ended last week. Beamer said Tigers have one of SEC's best receiver groups and any passer will look to Lur Burden III and o Wease downfield. “And no matter who quarterback is back re, y're going to do that,” Beamer said.

Missouri pulled off a late-game stunner to defeat Oklahoma with when Zion Young returned a fumble 17 yards for a touchdown with 22 seconds remaining. Triston Newson sacked Oklahoma’s Jackson Arnold and knocked ball loose. Young, a defensive end, picked it up and raced in for score. He called play a “surreal moment.”

It's South Carolina's first game as a ranked team in two years. y also were included at No. 22 in latest College Football Playoff rankings. Missouri was in AP top 10 earlier this season before falling out — and returning this week at No. 24. Tigers are 23rd in CFP rankings.

Tigers have h ir way with South Carolina in recent years, winning past five games in a series where winner receives Mayor's Cup since both campuses are located in city of Columbia in ir respective states.

South Carolina has gotten a big boost from tailback Raheim “Rocket” Sanders in winning its past three SEC games with last two coming against ranked opponents in n-No. 10 Texas A&M and No. 24 Vanderbilt. Sanders, who rushed for 1,443 yards at Arkansas two years ago, finally looks healthy after dealing with injuries last year and earlier this season. He's run for 100 or more yards past two weeks and accounted for five of his 10 touchdowns during Gamecocks current win streak.

If this game is close, look for Missouri to call on its past success in tight contests. Tigers have won all four one-score games y've played this year against Boston College (27-21), Vanderbilt (30-27, OT), Auburn (21-17) and Oklahoma (30-23). Coach Drinkwitz said its a complete team effort to do what's needed to succeed.

“y've all h a little bit different flavor,” he said of games. “So, I think it’s just all three phases of game and needing to work toger to find ways to win.”