No. 4 Alabama secured a tense 29-22 win against South Carolina in Columbia on Saturday night. The Gamecocks surged ahead to a 22-14 lead with just ten minutes left, but Alabama rallied with 15 unanswered points to clinch their seventh consecutive victory.
With the game tied at 22 and only 34 seconds remaining, Germie Bernard dashed 25 yards for a touchdown, sealing the win. It sparked debate when South Carolina’s defensive back DQ Smith seemed to let him score, likely hoping to get the ball back. ESPN’s Booger McFarland voiced his disbelief on social media, suggesting it was a poor decision given their slim time left to score.
“What the hell just happened in South Carolina? Better chance of a kicker missing a FG than the Gamecocks scoring with 34 seconds left. Wow.” — Booger McFarland
Tackling Bernard earlier could have changed the outcome, making a field goal attempt more feasible than a full-field drive. South Carolina ended their final drive on their own nine-yard line with just 16 seconds left, failing to reach midfield.
In recent weeks, both teams had faced contrasting fortunes. South Carolina struggled, losing four out of five games after a strong season start. Alabama, conversely, had strung together six wins, including four against ranked teams, after a season-opening loss to Florida State.
The Gamecocks opened strong with a 24-yard field goal but soon fell victim to a critical mistake. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers had a pass intercepted and returned for a touchdown by Alabama’s Dashawn Jones, shifting momentum to the Crimson Tide early on.
South Carolina’s kicker William Joyce added another field goal, cutting the deficit to one point. Just before halftime, Alabama’s Ty Simpson connected with tight end Josh Cuevas for a touchdown, taking the lead 14-6.
South Carolina came out firing in the second half. Sellers connected with Nyck Harbor for a stunning 54-yard touchdown, then added a field goal to take a 15-14 lead into the final quarter. Sellers had his best game, even rushing for a touchdown to extend the lead.
However, Alabama responded. Simpson threw a touchdown pass to Bernard, leveling the score at 22. After South Carolina’s fumbled snap during what could have been a game-winning drive, Alabama took control and executed the winning play, solidifying their victory.
This game underlines the volatility of college football, where momentum can flip in an instant. As Alabama continues its winning streak, South Carolina will have to regroup and address their recent struggles. For fans, it’s a reminder that every play counts and can change the course of a season.
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