COLUMBIA — The South Carolina football team kicked off its season with a challenging matchup against Old Dominion at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, ultimately securing a narrow 23-19 victory.
The Monarchs (0-1) took a 19-16 lead with just under 10 minutes remaining in the game. This set the stage for redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers, making his first career start for the Gamecocks (1-0). Sellers rose to the occasion, scoring a three-yard touchdown after a crucial fumble recovery by DeAndre Jules in the red zone. Jalon Kilgore later sealed the win with an interception of Grant Wilson, leaving just 1:29 on the clock.
Next, South Carolina will prepare for its first SEC game of the season, heading to Lexington for a highly anticipated contest against Kentucky on September 8.
Game Highlights:
– South Carolina 7-0: Debo Williams forced a fumble, leading to Rocket Sanders’ one-yard touchdown run. Alex Herrera successfully kicked the extra point.
– Old Dominion answered back with a 72-yard touchdown pass, tying the game 7-7. South Carolina regained the lead with a 40-yard field goal from Herrera, ending the first quarter at 10-7.
– A lightning delay occurred early in the second quarter, causing a 30-minute pause with South Carolina still in the lead.
– The Gamecocks maintained their advantage into halftime, leading 13-7, despite a few missed opportunities.
– Old Dominion struck back in the third quarter with a 36-yard touchdown run, but South Carolina’s DeAndre Jules blocked the extra point, keeping the score at 16-13 in favor of the Gamecocks.
– The Monarchs later equalized with a 40-yard field goal just before the end of the third quarter.
– In the fourth quarter, Old Dominion briefly took the lead at 19-16 before Sellers’ critical touchdown put South Carolina back in front.
– Kilgore’s interception in the final minutes solidified the Gamecocks’ win, with the final score ending at 23-19.
Looking Ahead:
The Gamecocks’ next challenge will be against Kentucky in what promises to be an exciting SEC clash.
Additional Information:
– The game occurred on August 31, starting at 4:15 p.m. ET, and was broadcast on the SEC Network.
– Weather conditions in Columbia reached 92 degrees at kickoff.
– Sellers, who hails from Florence, South Carolina, made an impressive debut, while Rocket Sanders played his first game for the Gamecocks after transferring from Arkansas.
Shane Beamer, now in his fourth year with South Carolina, has maintained a strong record in home openers, sustaining a winning streak so far.