COLUMBIA, S.C. – The motto for the Alabama Crimson Tide this season has been “unbreakable,” and the team showcased this spirit on Saturday. In a dramatic turn of events, the No. 4 Crimson Tide overcame a late-game deficit to defeat South Carolina 29-22 at Williams-Brice Stadium, marking their seventh consecutive victory. With this win, Alabama improves its record to 7-1 overall and 5-0 in the Southeastern Conference (SEC).
Germie Bernard emerged as a standout player, scoring two crucial touchdowns within the last two and a half minutes of the game. Quarterback Ty Simpson was also instrumental, passing for 253 yards and two touchdowns. Additionally, DeShawn Jones made a significant impact by returning an interception 18 yards for a touchdown. Reflecting on the game, Simpson stated, “We knew that this was going to be a dogfight coming in. There was not one ounce of nonbelief; we knew what we had to do to remain unbreakable.”
South Carolina, now 3-5 overall and 1-5 in the SEC, started strong with quarterback LaNorris Sellers throwing for 222 yards and a touchdown, while also rushing for another 67 yards. However, a pivotal fumble late in the game proved detrimental to their chances. The Gamecocks initially held a 22-14 lead late in the fourth quarter, but Alabama executed a remarkable 79-yard drive that culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass from Simpson to Bernard with just 2:16 left on the clock.
After Bernard's touchdown, Simpson successfully connected with Josh Cuevas for a crucial 2-point conversion, tying the game at 22-22. On the next drive, Alabama's defense stepped up, with linebacker Deontae Lawson stripping the ball from Sellers, giving Alabama possession at the South Carolina 38-yard line. Bernard then took a direct snap on a crucial third-and-10 play, sprinting around the right end for a 25-yard touchdown with only 34 seconds remaining.
Despite the potential for a strategic play to run down the clock, Bernard opted to score after receiving the green light from the coach. “Coach gave me the green light to go ahead and score, so that's what I did,” Bernard explained. Alabama's first score came in the second quarter when Jones intercepted a pass that was mishandled by running back Rahsul Faison and returned it for a touchdown.
Throughout the first half, South Carolina faced multiple missteps, including a holding penalty that negated a potential touchdown run by Sellers and a missed field goal. Despite these mistakes, the Gamecocks only trailed 14-6 at halftime. They surged ahead with 16 unanswered points in the second half, highlighted by Nyck Harbor’s 54-yard touchdown reception and a 47-yard field goal from William Joyce.
Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer praised his team's resilience, stating, “If you play with confidence, you give yourself a chance.” Conversely, South Carolina coach Shane Beamer expressed his disappointment, acknowledging the struggles his team has faced this season. “As the coach, I feel like I’m letting a lot of people down,” Beamer lamented. With the season's difficulties, South Carolina is looking to rebound as they prepare to face No. 8 Ole Miss next Saturday.
For Alabama, the focus shifts to their next matchup against No. 20 LSU on November 8. The Crimson Tide's performance against South Carolina demonstrated their determination and ability to overcome adversity, a crucial trait as they aim for a successful season. Meanwhile, South Carolina will strive to regain momentum on the road, hoping to turn their season around in the coming weeks.
