No. 7 Alabama Football Survives Close Battle With South Carolina, 27-25

The Crimson Tide narrowly escaped the Gamecocks after falling to Vanderbilt last week.

Oct 12, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Milroe (4) carries the ball for a first down as he gets around South Carolina Gamecocks defensive back Jalon Kilgore (24) during the first half at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-Imagn Images / Butch Dill-Imagn Images

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Following a shocking upset loss to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1984, the now-No. 7-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide looked to rebound against South Carolina on Saturday at Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

However, the rebound wasn't a massive one by any means as Alabama narrowly escaped the Gamecocks 27-25, after a missed two-point conversion by South Carolina.

Alabama held a 14-0 lead early after short rushing touchdowns by quarterback Jalen Milroe and running back Justice Haynes, but a 36-yard scoring connection between South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers and wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. on fourth-and-short cut the lead to seven with under two minutes remaining in the first half.

Nine seconds later, Milroe was quickly pressured in the endzone and his flag for intentional grounding resulted in a safety. Alabama's defense was able to get off the field quickly after, but Milroe threw an interception that was returned 31 yards before going out of bounds with one second left before the break, and South Carolina closed the half with a 37-yard field goal.

The Gamecocks couldn't have opened the second half any better as they went 5-for-5 on third down, including a one-yard score by running back Raheim Sanders to take the lead.

Milroe and company were then able to drive downfield but he'd throw an endzone interception, causing some panic around the mecca of college football. However, Sellers went on to fumble it shortly after and defensive lineman LT Overton recovered. Following a 16-yard catch by Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Milroe ran it in for six from seven yards out to reclaim a 20-19 lead (missed two-point conversion).

A couple of long runs by Sanders got South Carolina into long field goal range, but the 51-yard attempt was no good.

From there, the Crimson Tide was able to chew the clock with numerous first downs and a 37-yard touchdown reception by Germie Bernard.

But the Gamecocks wouldn't go away as wide receiver Nyck Harbor hauled in an incredible 31-yard touchdown reception, but South Carolina would miss the two-point conversion.

Down by two with 40 seconds to go, South Carolina recovered the onside kick, sucking the air out of Saban Field at Bryant-Denny Stadium. However, Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson would snag the game-sealing interception as time expired.

How it Happened

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Fourth Quarter

• 40 seconds left in regulation: South Carolina recovers the onside kick. However, Domani Jackson hauls in the interception to end the game.

• 1:54 left in regulation: South Carolina quickly drives downfield with the drive culminating with an incredible 31-yard touchdown reception by wide receiver Nyck Harbor. However, the two-point converison was no good. ALABAMA 27, SOUTH CAROLINA 25.

• 6:08 left in regulation: Milroe and the Tide are able to chew the clock with numerous first down and a 37-yard touchdown reception by Germie Bernard, ending the game and avoiding another upset. ALABAMA 27, SOUTH CAROLINA 19.

• 10:42 left in regulation: Sanders runs for a combined 31 yards but the field goal attempt a few plays later does not split the uprights.

• 12:05 left in regulation: Milroe connects with Williams for a 16-yard gain and then the dual-threat ran it into the endzone from seven yards out (3 plays, 31 yards, 1:23). The Crimson Tide didn't make the two-point conversion. ALABAMA 20, SOUTH CAROLINA 19.

• 12:17 left in regulation: Moore is penalized with a pass interference on the first play. But then Sellers fumbles and Overton recovers.

• 15:00 left in regulation: Alabama gets in the redzone but Milroe throws an interception in the endzone.

Third Quarter

• 1:19 left in third quarter: Milroe tallies a combined 22 all-purpose yards on two plays as the third quarter expires.

• 3:13 left in the third quarter: South Carolina goes three-and-out with final play stemming from a sideline tackle by Lawson. Kroeger punts 37 yards to Alabama's 46-yard line.

• 6:14 left in third quarter: Emmanuel Henderson Jr. fumbled the kick return after a big hit but cornerback Keon Sabb recovered. Adams hauled in a pass and ran it for 27-yard gain on the first play of the drive. Milroe then found Bernard a couple plays later on third down for a 13-yard gain, but that would follow with a seven-yard loss to Dippre who was picked up quickly after the catch and Burnip punts it 31 yards to SC's 11-yard line shortly after.

• 15:00 left in third quarter: Sellers runs for a nine-yard gain on third-and-six. Sanders then gets a two-yard gain on third-and-short. Sellers scrambles and runs right for a 14-yard gain on the very next play. Defensive lineman Jah-Marien Latham proceeds to sack him for an 8-yard loss but Sellers then finds Bennett open in the middle for a 22-yard gain to convert another third down. The fourth third down conversion of the drive came on a shovel pass to running baxck Oscar Adaway III for a 14-yard gain. The fifth and final conversion was a one-yard touchdown run by Sanders (16 plays, 85 yards, 8:35). SOUTH CAROLINA 19, ALABAMA 14.

Second Quarter

Halftime Stat Leaders:

• Passing: LaNorris Sellers - 13-of-16, 128 yards, one touchdown
• Rushing: Justice Haynes - six attempts, 21 yards, one touchdown
• Receiving: Germie Bernard - two receptions, 42 yards
• Defensive: Kyle Kennard - five tackles, three for loss, two sacks

• 48 seconds left in second quarter: Milroe throws an interception to Jalon Kilgore who returns it 31 yards before stepping out with one second remaining. Kroeger converts 37-yard field goal. ALABAMA 14, SOUTH CAROLINA 12.

• 1:20 left in the second quarter: On the second play of the drive, Sellers is strip-sacked by Campbell and linebacker Keanu Koht recovers near midfield.

• 1:37 left in the second quarter: Milroe is flagged for intentional grounding in the endzone, resulting in a safety. ALABAMA 14, SOUTH CAROLINA 9.

• 4:38 left in the second quarter: South Carolina's numerous short and medium gains bring the Gamecocks to Alabama's 37-yard line. Cornerback Zavier Mincey adds a tackle to his young career and fellow freshman cornerback Jaylen Mbakwe gets a tackle for loss on a quick pass on third down. South Carolina converts on 4th-and-9 with a 36-yard touchdown connection between Sellers and wide receiver Mazeo Bennett Jr. ALABAMA 14, SOUTH CAROLINA 7.

• 8:10 left in the second quarter: Alabama running back Jam Miller gets a combined 27 all-purpose yards on the first three plays of the drive and Milroe matches that number with one long run. Milroe then ran on two more consecutive plays and Haynes finished the 7-plays, 67-yard, 3:32 drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown. ALABAMA 14, SOUTH CAROLINA 0.

• 9:45 left in the second quarter: Gamecocks commit a false start on the first play and backup quarterback Robby Ashford follows it with a nine-yard run. A couple plays later on third-and-nine, Sellers escapes a ton of pressure and sees wide receiver Gage Larvadain getting open downfield but he can't come up with the catch and South Carolina's Kai Kroeger punts 54 yards to Alabama's 33-yard line.

• 12:07 left in the second quarter: Alabama running back rushes for a 7-yard gain on second-and-short, but Milroe is sacked a couple plays later on third down to force a 52-yard Burnip punt to SC's 12-yard line

• 15:00 left in the second quarter: The Gamecocks continue with the ball to open the second period. Sellers is then sacked by linebackers Que Robinson and Jordan Renaud to create a third down, but on the next play, a roughing the passer by linebacker Jihaad Campbell extends the drive. Defensive tackle Tim Smith sacks Sellers a couple plays later on third down, but they go for it and defensive back DeVonta Smith forces Gamecocks tight end Joshua Simon to fumble which is picked up by safety Malachi Moore at Alabama's 27-yard line. Starting cornerback Domani Jackson was injured earlier in the drive and was carted to the locker room.

First Quarter

• 3:45 left in the first quarter: South Carolina tallies three first downs on the first five plays of the drive, two of which being runs and the other being a short pass turned into an 11-yard catch-and-run. Jefferson reaches Sellers again with a 4-yard TFL.

• 8:18 left in the first quarter: Alabama quickly goes three-and-out as Milroe just misses wide receiver Ryan Williams on a third-down deep throw. But on the punt, James Burnip draws a personal foul and Alabama's offense returns to the field. Milroe connects with Bernard for a 12-yard first down on the first play of the revived drive. Milroe then finds tight end CJ Dippre for 19 yards but it's called back due to Bernard's ineligibility downfield. South Carolina brings heavy pressure on third down a couple plays later and sacks Milroe. Burnip punts 59 yards and defensive back King Mack is all over the returner at the 10-yard line.

• 11:00 left in first quarter: Following a pass breakup by Alabama linebacker Justin Jefferson, South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers connected with running back Raheim Sanders for a 14-yard gain. However, numerous Crimson Tide defenders would reach the backfield a couple of plays later on third-down and Deontae Lawson got the credit for a three-yard tackle for loss on Sellers to force a punt.

• 15:00 left in first quarter: Alabama running back Justice Haynes gets the first three touches for a combined nine yards. Quarterback Jalen Milroe sneaks for a first down to extend the drive. Wide receivers Germie Bernard and Cole Adams each had catches of 30 yards. Jalen Milroe runs it in for a 1-yard score to cap off a 9-play, 75-yard, 4-minute drive. ALABAMA 7, SOUTH CAROLINA 0.

Pregame

• Alabama captains Jalen Milroe, Tyler Booker, Deontae Lawson and Malachi Moore head out for the coin toss. South Carolina won it and Alabama will receive the ball first.

• 11:03 a.m. Alabama and South Carolina trot out of the tunnels and onto the field.

• 10:50 a.m.: Both teams head to the locker rooms and the Million Dollar Band performs

• 10:40 a.m. CT: Pregame starting lineup introductions included Alabama wide receiver Kendrick Law, who missed last week's game against Vanderbilt due to a lower-body injury he suffered against Georgia on Sept. 28. Law was listed as questionable on Wednesday's initial injury report. Linebacker Yhonzae Pierre and wide receiver Kobe Prentice aren't in uniform for Saturday's matchup.

• The full team came out for warmups at 10:25 a.m. CT (40 minutes before kickoff)