WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM: A foot here and an ankle there. That was a big part of what separated South Carolina from a possible upset win over LSU Saturday afternoon at Williams-Brice Stadium. And 13 penalties, two of which wiped out two touchdowns on interception returns, also were big.
Alex Herrera was just wide left, maybe a foot or so, on a 49-yard field goal attempt to tie the game as time expired and LSU escaped Columbia with a 36-33 victory.
The Gamecocks had built an early 17-0 lead with explosive plays from quarterback LaNorris Sellers and running back Rocket Sanders. But Sellers suffered an ankle injury late in the second quarter and played just one series early in the second half. The loss of Sellers changed the Gamecocks’ offense entirely as they attempted just five passes in the second half.
Sellers had two touchdown runs in the first half, including one of 75 yards, the longest ever for a Gamecock quarterback. After trailing 17-0, LSU did battle back, and with a touchdown pass late in the half only trailed 24-16 at halftime.
The Tigers dominated the third quarter running 23 plays to six by the Gamecocks and outgaining them 175 to one. Yet, LSU only scored one touchdown, leaving the Gamecocks with a 24-22 lead going to the fourth.
A touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter gave LSU a 29-24 lead, but Sanders broke off a 66-yard touchdown run, and Herrera nailed a 42-yard field goal for a 33-29 USC lead with 10:34 to play.
The next nine minutes will live with Gamecock fans for years to come. After forcing a punt, the Gamecocks were facing third and long from their 24. Backup quarterback Robby Ashford was hit while passing and lost a fumble at his own twelve. On third down, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier was intercepted in the end zone by Nick Emmanwori who took it the distance for what appeared to be a possible game clinching pick six. But on the return, Kyle Kennard blocked Nussmeier and was called for unnecessary roughness.
That put the Gamecocks back at their own ten and they eventually punted to the LSU 45 with 3:46 left. On fourth and three, Kennard was flagged for being offsides giving the Tigers a first down. Nussmeier followed up with a 29-yard pass to the four and Josh Williams eventually scored from the two for a 36-33 lead with 1:12 left.
A 31-yard pass from Ashford to Vandrevius Jacobs gave the Gamecocks life at the LSU 42. Ashford added a 15-yard run as the Gamecocks eventually reached the LSU 31 and set up Herrera from the left hash. The kick looked good at the start but moved slightly left as it approached the upright and missed just to the left.
The Gamecocks were outgained 417 yards to 398. Sanders had his best day as a Gamecock rushing for 143 yards and two scores. Sellers was 9-16 passing for 113 yards and one interception. He added 88 yards on the ground.
In a losing effort, the Gamecocks did score their most points ever against LSU in dropping their eighth in a row to the Tigers.
The Gamecocks are now 2-1 overall and 1-1 in the SEC and will host Akron next Saturday night.
Final Stats
My view from Williams-Brice Stadium
Shane Beamer postgame
Nick Emmanwori & Debo Williams postgame
Rocket Sanders postgame
LaNorris Sellers & Robby Ashford postgame
