COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – South Carolina would not be denied. After jumping out to a 15-point lead in the fourth quarter, the Gamecocks came back to beat the Missouri Tigers in an instant classic.
Missouri started the game with an impressive opening drive. Missouri quarterback Brady Cook looked confident after questions were raised about his play before the game. Cook led the team down the field before multiple stops by the Gamecocks defense held the Tigers to a field goal.
The Gamecocks responded in kind. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw several dimes, including a touchdown pass to Nyck Harbor.
Missouri responded with a field goal, making the score 7-6 heading into the second quarter.
Both defenses shined in the second. Missouri kept the Gamecocks near the red zone on a fourth-down stop and beat Raheim Sanders in the backfield.
The Gamecocks defense responded and blocked the Tigers on the next possession after several big defensive plays.
After an interception by Sellers, the defense stepped up again and brought down Brady Cook for a sack. The bag turned out to be enormous; Missouri missed a field goal on the next play.
After the interception, Sellers bounced back and hit Nyck Harbor for a big gain. Sellers dished it to a wide open Joshua Simon, extending the lead to 14-6.
After another three and shut down by the South Carolina defense, Sellers threw a screen pass to Jared Brown, who took the ball 38 yards for a touchdown.
The Gamecocks take a hard-fought 21-6 lead at halftime after a slow offensive start.
Missouri picked things up in the second half. The Tigers, led by Nate Noel, went big. Back Marcus Carroll capped the drive with a touchdown run after the 6-minute drive, cutting the Gamecock lead to 9 late in the third.
Missouri’s defense also stepped up in the third quarter. After a controversial spotting, the Gamecocks were stopped on a crucial 4th and 1 in their territory.
After scoring a field goal on the next possession, the Tigers again stopped Sanders in the backfield, keeping the Gamecocks offense off the field early in the fourth.
South Carolina had no answer for the Tigers on either side of the ball in the fourth quarter. After the failed fourth-down conversion, the Tigers marched off the field. After a deep ball to Marquis Johnson, Noel took the ball for a short touchdown run. Missouri took the lead 22-21 midway through the fourth.
After a quiet second half, the South Carolina offense came alive when it mattered.
LaNorris Sellers threw Brady Hunt and Daleveon Campbell to the receivers for big wins. Sellers capped the drive with a quick pass to Michael Smith, giving the Gamecocks a 27-22 lead late in the fourth.
After a deep ball to star receiver Luther Burden III for a huge 37-yard touchdown, South Carolina’s offense delivered again.
After another big catch and run by Daleveon Campbell, Raheim Sanders called the play. The star running back broke multiple tackles and stormed into the end zone to give the Gamecocks a 34-30 lead with 15 seconds left.
An interception by Jalon Kilgore sealed the deal and gave the Gamecocks a hard-fought 34-30 victory.
South Carolina returns to Williams-Brice for its final home game of the season against Wofford before a highly anticipated matchup against Clemson.
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