No. 4 Alabama managed to secure a hard-fought 29-22 victory against South Carolina on Saturday night in Columbia. This win marks Alabama's seventh consecutive victory, further solidifying their position as a top contender in college football. South Carolina made a valiant effort, taking a surprising 22-14 lead with just 10 minutes left in the game. However, the Crimson Tide responded with 15 unanswered points to clinch the win.
The game reached a critical point when it was tied at 22 with only 34 seconds remaining. Alabama's Germie Bernard broke through the defense to find the end zone from 25 yards out, sealing the victory for the Crimson Tide. Interestingly, during Bernard's run, South Carolina defensive back DQ Smith appeared to let him score, likely hoping to give the Gamecocks a chance to regain possession with a mere 34 seconds on the clock. ESPN analyst Booger McFarland criticized this decision on social media, suggesting that tackling Bernard and forcing Alabama to settle for a field goal would have been a more effective strategy for South Carolina.
As South Carolina initiated their final drive from their own nine-yard line with just 16 seconds left, they struggled to advance, ultimately failing to cross midfield. The trajectory of both teams has shifted significantly in recent weeks, with South Carolina losing four of its last five games after a promising 2-0 start, while Alabama has been on a winning streak, including four consecutive victories against ranked opponents following a loss to Florida State in their season opener.
The scoring opened with South Carolina's kicker, Wiliam Joyce, successfully converting a 24-yard field goal to give the Gamecocks an early 3-0 lead. After forcing Alabama into a quick three-and-out, South Carolina appeared poised to extend their lead. However, disaster struck as quarterback LaNorris Sellers' pass was fumbled and tipped into the air by wide receiver Rahsul Faison. Alabama's Dashawn Jones seized the opportunity, intercepting the ball and returning it 18 yards for a touchdown, putting the Crimson Tide ahead 7-3.
Joyce added another field goal, narrowing the gap to 7-6, but Alabama's quarterback Ty Simpson responded by connecting with tight end Josh Cuevas for a three-yard touchdown just before halftime, extending the lead to 14-6 as the teams headed to the locker room.
Emerging from halftime, South Carolina showcased a renewed energy. Sellers connected with wide receiver Nyck Harbor for a stunning 54-yard touchdown on the Gamecocks’ first drive of the half. This impressive play allowed South Carolina to regain the lead, 15-14, after they added a third field goal to their score. Sellers had an outstanding performance, highlighted by a 10-yard rushing touchdown that extended South Carolina's lead to 22-14 with just 10 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Despite South Carolina’s impressive lead, Alabama demonstrated their resilience. The Crimson Tide tied the game at 22 with a four-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Bernard just before the two-minute warning. With the game now tied, South Carolina received the ball back, but their hopes for a game-winning drive were dashed when Sellers fumbled, allowing Alabama to recover.
Capitalizing on the turnover, Alabama drove down the field, culminating in the controversial touchdown by Bernard. This victory not only marked Alabama's third consecutive win over South Carolina but also underscored their dominance in the SEC. As the season progresses, Alabama remains a formidable force, while South Carolina will need to regroup and refocus to turn their season around.
