VAUGHT-HEMINGWAY STADIUM: If South Carolina is going to salvage a bowl game in 2025, they know exactly what they need to do after a 30-14 loss to No. 7 Mississippi Saturday night.
The Gamecocks sit 3-6, 1-6 in the SEC with only a road game at No. 3 Texas A&M on November 15 remaining in the SEC. After that, they play Coastal Carolina and Clemson at home to close out the season. South Carolina must win all three games to become bowl eligible one year after a nine-win season.
It was a familiar script that played out in losses to Missouri, LSU and Alabama already this season. It was a six-point game, 20-14, entering the fourth quarter before the Gamecocks faltered in the final 15 minutes.
They were outgained 110-65 in the final quarter, and quarterback LaNorris Sellers was picked off twice. Ole Miss kicked a field goal early in the quarter to extend the lead to 23-14. The Gamecocks were stopped on downs at the Ole Miss 46 on their next possession. Kewan Lacy then put the game away on the first play of the drive for the Rebels with a 54-yard touchdown run.
South Carolina had some chances early. LaNorris Sellers had several receivers open, and he was unable to get them the ball, especially in the first half. Twice, Vandrevius Jacobs was running free – once Sellers under threw him and then on another, he was too deep on a long pass play at the goal line. Sellers missed a wide open Rahsul Faison in the third quarter that would have been a big gainer.
The first offensive play for USC was a deep ball to Nyck Harbor that was under thrown, but Harbor should have caught it inside the Rebel’s Red Zone.
Sellers ended the game 16-of-30 for 180 yards and two interceptions. He had a 47-yard touchdown pass to Nyck Harbor.
Mississippi converted three-of-four chances on fourth down in the first half. They scored on two of those drives. South Carolina was 0-for-1 on its only fourth down attempt when Matthew Fuller was tackled for a three-yard loss on a fourth-and-1 from the Rebels 46.
Two plays later, Trinidad Chambliss hit Dae’Quan Wright on an 8-yard TD pass to give Mississippi the lead with 1:28 remaining in the first quarter. The first play was a 43-yard pass to Deuce Alexander.
Each team muffed a punt in the Red Zone. South Carolina took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard Sellers run after the Rebels mishandled a punt at their 16-yard line. Jalon Kilgore misplayed a punt at the USC 13-yard line in the third quarter. Lucas Carneiro converted a 27-yard field goal to give Mississippi a 20-14 lead.
The Rebels defense ended up with six sacks of Sellers for a loss of 51 yards. Mississippi gained 417 yards of total offense, 258 yards rushing, while South Carolina ended with 230 yards. Ole Miss remains in the conversation for the playoffs by improving to 8-1 overall and 5-1 in the SEC. The Rebels play FCS The Citadel next week, then have a bye week before closing the season with a home game against Florida and the annual Egg Bowl at Mississippi State.
Final Stats
Here’s My View from Vaught-Hemingway Stadium
Gamecock Postgame
Shane Beamer
LaNorris Sellers & Jalon Kilgore
Nyck Harbor
Justin Okoronkwo
