Overview
- Late in a 49-18 loss to Alabama on Sept. 26, Stewart punched Alabama tight end Josh Ford and was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct but was not ejected from the game.
- South Carolina announced the indefinite suspension on Sunday, Sept. 27, with Beamer calling the on-field punch and earlier sideline behavior "unacceptable" and saying the program will decide Stewart’s future soon.
- Broadcast replay and ESPN rules analysts said the punch looked like grounds for ejection, raising questions about officiating discretion during the game.
- Stewart has played sparingly this season on a limited snap count after an upper-glute/back issue, and analysts warn the suspension could hurt his standing with NFL scouts ahead of the 2027 draft.
- The move comes as South Carolina falls to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC, increasing pressure on Beamer’s program and setting up potential further review by the school or the conference.