In test of loyalties, former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer wears South Carolina black for son

ATLANTA (AP) — As it turns out, blood is thicker than longstanding school ties.

Just as Brent Pry predicted.

Virginia Tech coaching great Frank Beamer showed up for the Hokies' season-opening 24-11 loss to South Carolina, which is coached by son Shane Beamer, wearing Gamecocks black.

Pry, the current Virginia Tech coach, knew the elder Beamer would have to support his son.

At last month's ACC Football Kickoff, Pry was asked about the opening game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium testing Frank Beamer's conflicting loyalties for the game referred to as the “Beamer Bowl.”

“He loves Virginia Tech an awful lot, but he loves his son first,” Pry said with a chuckle. “I think if you ask Frank’s wife, she’d be like, ’My son is where it’s at, you kidding me?’”

Frank Beamer drew a loud ovation when he was introduced before the game. He then delivered a pregame prayer when he asked for protection for "us here, including the two best fan bases in the country.”

Frank Beamer coached Virginia Tech for 29 years and won 238 games. He led the Hokies to 23 consecutive bowl invitations and earned a spot in the College Football Hall of Fame. Virginia Tech played for the 1999 national championship under Beamer.

Special teams was always a strength at Virginia Tech under Beamer, a style of play known as “Beamerball.” On Sunday, Shane Beamer's Gamecocks used an 80-yard punt return for a touchdown by Vicari Swain as a means of putting the game away in the fourth quarter.

Following the game, Shane Beamer gave his father a hug on the field and said, “Thought you'd like a special teams touchdown.”

Shane Beamer also complimented Pry's team.

“Obviously, I've got a lot of respect for that program,” Shane Beamer said. “Brent Pry is doing a heck of a job. He is the right guy for that job. They’ve got a good team. They’re going to win a lot of football games this year. We knew it was going to be a battle coming in here. I know what that program is about.”

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South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer celebrates after an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Virginia Tech head coach Brent Pry meets South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer after an NCAA college football game, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer looks out to the crowd before an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer reacts on the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Virginia Tech, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Former Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer waves to the crowd before an NCAA college football game against South Carolina, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Jimmy Butler had 32 points and eight rebounds, Stephen Curry warmed up in the second half to finish with 27 points and seven assists, and the Golden State Warriors beat the New York Knicks 126-113 on Thursday night.

Moses Moody scored 21 points with seven 3-pointers for the Warriors, while Brandin Podziemski had 19 points.

Deuce McBride and OG Anunoby each scored 25 points and Mikal Bridges had 21 as New York lost for the seventh time in nine games. The Knicks were without Jalen Brunson because of a sprained right ankle suffered in a 112-101 loss at Sacramento a night earlier.

Karl-Anthony Towns had 17 points and a season-best 20 rebounds for New York. This has been a two-day reunion tour for Knicks first-year coach Mike Brown, fired by the Kings last season and also a former Warriors top assistant.

Curry missed his first four 3-point tries before connecting from deep with 9:44 left in the third quarter. It marked only the third time this season he didn't have a 3 in the first half and first since going 0 for 6 in the initial two quarters Dec. 22 against Orlando.

He scored five straight points midway through the fourth to give Golden State a 107-94 lead.

Moody shot 7 for 9 from deep for his sixth 20-point performance of the season, while Butler notched his second 30-point game in the last three and fifth overall. The Warriors had three scorers with 20 or more for the eighth time.

Draymond Green was issued a Flagrant 1 foul upon replay review with 11:01 left in the game for his trip of Towns from the floor.

Warriors reserve forward Gui Santos was helped off the court with 2:21 left in the first quarter after a collision with Josh Hart. Santos sprained his left ankle, with coach Steve Kerr and the medical staff rushing out to check on him at midcourt. Santos then limped to the locker room and didn't return.

Knicks: Host the Suns on Saturday night.

Warriors: Host the Hornets on Saturday night.

AP NBA: https://apnews.com/NBA

New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown gestures toward an official during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) is fouled by Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green, rear, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

New York Knicks guard Jordan Clarkson reacts after scoring and drawing a foul during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Moses Moody (4) reacts after making a 3-point basket in front of New York Knicks center Karl-Anthony Towns, right, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Referee James Williams, left, reacts as Golden State Warriors forward Draymond Green (23) hugs New York Knicks head coach Mike Brown during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) dribbles the ball as forward Draymond Green (23) screens New York Knicks guard Miles McBride, middle, during the first half of an NBA basketball game in San Francisco, Thursday, Jan. 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)