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Rex Brown

South Carolina's Tommy Beecher (6) looks to throw downfield during the Gamecocks' win over Louisiana-Lafayette last season at William-Brice Stadium in Columbia. The Gamecocks open their season tonight, hosting North Carolina State at 8 p.m.

COLUMBIA — Tommy Beecher’s resume just keeps getting longer.

First-time starting quarterback. Owner of the team’s highest grade point average. Holder for field goals and point after kicks. Team comedian.

Team comedian?

“When he’s in the huddle he cracks jokes in the huddle. He’s just a cool dude,” USC senior receiver Kenny McKinley said of his quarterback’s demeanor.

While it’s not in the playbook, Beecher already knows that when his surrounding cast is comfortable they’ll perform at a higher level.

“I try to keep it kind of loose out there and try to make sure everyone is good,” Beecher said. “But it’s been a good time, like I said, and when its time to be serious I’ll be serious.”

The time to be serious for Beecher begins tonight as he makes his first collegiate start in front of a national audience as South Carolina plays host to N.C. State in the season opening game on ESPN (8 p.m.). The Gamecocks will look to snap a five-game losing streak that carried over from last season and took them from a top 10 ranking to a mediocre 6-6 finish.

No pressure at all, right? The junior signal caller doesn’t think so.

“I’m excited. It’s come up quick on us,” Beecher said. “I’m a little anxious to get out there and start playing. I’ve waited a long time for this.”

The only quarterback in coach Steve Spurrier’s first recruiting class, Beecher was an afterthought in the Gamecock offense his first two seasons. The Concord, N.C. native spent most his time behind former quarterback Blake Mitchell and now-backup Chris Smelley. In limited action, Beecher has gone 16-of-25 for 194 yards and two scores, with the bulk of those numbers coming against Louisiana-Lafayette last fall (14-of-23 for 175 yards and one score).

That experience in the shadows is what McKinley thinks has made Beecher the best candidate to lead the team this fall.

“I guess being behind Blake and Smelley last year really humbled him. So he’s showing a lot of confidence now,” McKinley said. “He’s making the big throws and the big plays that we all believe he will make in the game.”

Beecher’s confidence got a boost when Spurrier dubbed him the starter prior to the start of fall camp. While Spurrier is known to have little patience with quarterbacks and poor play, the coach is ready to see if Beecher can get the job done.

“Tommy’s going to get a chance to go the distance,” Spurrier said. “Tommy’s earned the right to be the quarterback and he’s going to have every opportunity to hang in there a long time… He’s put in a lot of time to know our offense very well.”

While Spurrier and the team want Beecher to play through the entire year, the first time starter knows he must be consistent to remain on top of the depth chart.

“I know what’s expected of me. If I can’t get the offense to move at all, coach Spurrier’s been known to have a short leash and that’s to be expected,” Beecher said. “We have to have a quarterback out there that can move the ball and score for us.”

The added confidence from the coaching staff and team, along with Beecher’s knowledge of the game and work ethic, is a combination that Spurrier thinks will translate into a successful showing under center.

“It’s been well documented what type of man Tommy is. I think that will help our team. I hope it rubs off on the other players,” Spurrier said. “He certainly does have a chance to be a quarterback that’s a leader because of the way he handles himself.”