SABAN FIELD AT BRYANT-DENNY STADIUM: South Carolina fought Alabama until the final play of the contest, but it was another “frustrating” outing for the Gamecocks as they fell to No. 7 Alabama 27-25 Saturday afternoon.
The contest had more twists and turns than the Tilt-A-Whirl at the SC Fair, and because of that, USC had a chance after recovering an onside kick with 40 seconds to go.
USC was able to run three plays with the final one a heave towards the end zone from the Alabama 47-yard line that Domani Jackson intercepted. His momentum carried him into the end zone, so he came out and ran around until the clock reached 0:00 to preserve the Crimson Tide victory.
The onside kick situation came about because the Gamecocks pulled within two points on a 31-yard TD pass from LaNorris Sellers to Nyck Harbor with 43 seconds remaining. The ensuing two-point conversion was broken up when Sellers rolled to his right but was pressured. His pass to Vandrevius Jacobs sailed high and into the end zone hedges despite him being open.
Coach Shane Beamer and players Mazeo Bennett, Kyle Kennard, Jalon Kilgore and Sellers all expressed how frustrating it’s been coming up short in the last three SEC games. Two of the three games came down to the final play and the Gamecocks just haven’t made the plays to pull off the victory.
Alex Herrera missed a field goal on the final play of the game that would have forced overtime against LSU, and the Gamecocks had a chance to force overtime or win it in the final minute against Alabama on Saturday.
While South Carolina (3-3, 1-3 in the SEC) played better than they did last week in a 24-point home loss to Mississippi, mistakes and miscues continued to haunt them. The Gamecocks outgained Alabama, won the time of possession battle and was a respectable 7-of-15 on third down after going 0-for-5 in the first half.
But three fumbles and an interception on the road against a Top 10 team usually results in a loss.
The Gamecocks had five different receivers catch passes and 10 players overall ended up in the receiving stats, and they finally turned in some explosive plays. Harbor had the 31-yard TD catch, that had to be overturned by replay after being called incomplete on the field. Bennett was wide open for a 36-yard touchdown reception in the first half.
But the fumbles set the stage for the Crimson Tide to take the lead for good in the fourth quarter.
Jalen Milroe scored on a 7-yard touchdown run with 10:42 remaining to capitalize on a USC fumble moments earlier to give Alabama the lead for good. The Crimson Tide recovered Sellers second fumble of the afternoon at the USC 31-yard line, and it only took three plays to cover the distance.
Sellers looked as he was pulling the ball back from Rocket Sanders, dropped the ball and was unable to recover it. Sellers had his first fumble in the first half when he was pressured and it looked like he was trying to throw it away, but he dropped it.
South Carolina moved the ball inside the Alabama 30-yard line on the next possession, but a costly holding penalty moved them back. They brought on Herrera to attempt a 51-yard field goal that was short and way to the right with 6:08 remaining.
Alabama added a 34-yard TD pass from Milroe to a wide open Germie Bernard with 1:54 remaining and the eight-point lead, giving the Gamecocks one final hope that they almost capitalized on.
The Crimson Tide led 14-0 until an eventful final 1:37 of the first half gave USC some much needed momentum. Bennett broke free down the USC sideline and Sellers hit him with a perfectly placed pass for the 36-yard touchdown to the Gamecocks first points.
Alabama was called for a late hit on the ensuing kickoff to set the stage for the Gamecocks defense to make a big play. Kennard pressured Milroe in the end zone and he was flagged for intentional grounding, resulting in a safety.
South Carolina opened the drive at its own 43-yard line but three plays later, Sellers had the first of his two fumbles. Alabama had two loss of yardage plays but called time out with 11 seconds remaining. Kilgore stepped in front of the intended receiver and recorded the interception that he returned 31 yards to the 19-yard line. Herrera booted the 36-yard field goal as time expired in the first half to give South Carolina hope despite the 14-12 deficit.
USC opened the second half with a 16-play, 85-yard drive that consumed 8:35 of the game clock that resulted in a 1-yard Rocket Sanders TD run. That drive tied for the highest number of plays in a single drive under Beamer and set the record for longest time of possession on a drive.
South Carolina will continue its road swing next Saturday with a trip to Norman, Oklahoma to face the Sooners. Kickoff is scheduled for noon or 12:45 on one of the ESPN Networks. Exact time will be decided after the conclusion of this week’s game.
Final Stats
Chris Dearing’s view from Bryant-Denny Stadium
Gamecock Postgame
Shane Beamer
LaNorris Sellers
Mazeo Bennett
Kyle Kennard
Jalon Kilgore
