COLUMBIA, S.C. — Heartbreak struck again for South Carolina football.
For the second straight year, the Gamecocks let a fourth-quarter lead slip away against Alabama — this time falling 29-22 after holding a 22-14 advantage with just 10 minutes remaining. The loss dropped South Carolina to 3-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play, as frustration continues to mount for Shane Beamer’s squad.
In a near repeat of 2024’s collapse in Tuscaloosa, the Gamecocks once again had the Crimson Tide on the ropes before late mistakes turned hope into heartbreak.
A promising start turns sour
South Carolina opened the afternoon determined to set the tone offensively, taking the ball first and driving deep into Alabama territory. The Gamecocks reached the 4-yard line but stalled, settling for a field goal to take a 3-0 lead — a theme that would define much of the night.
It marked the second straight week the offense failed to finish an opening drive in the red zone. Unlike last week’s turnover on downs against Oklahoma, Carolina at least came away with points. But “close, yet not enough” became the story of the game.
Despite the defense forcing early stops — including two straight three-and-outs and a fumble near midfield — the offense failed to capitalize, managing just three points from those opportunities.
Then, disaster struck. A LaNorris Sellers pass bounced off Rahsul Faison’s hands and into the arms of Alabama’s DaShawn Jones, who returned it for a touchdown. What could have been a two-score lead instead became a 7-3 Alabama advantage.
Glimpses of hope in the second half
Even with momentum against them, South Carolina’s defense kept the game tight, and the offense finally found rhythm after halftime.
Following a turnover on downs by Alabama to open the third quarter, Sellers launched a 57-yard strike to Nyck Harbor, igniting the Williams-Brice crowd. When William Joyce nailed a 47-yard field goal moments later, the Gamecocks surged ahead 15-14 — and the energy inside the stadium was electric.
By the start of the fourth quarter, belief had returned to Columbia. When Alabama muffed a punt midway through the period, the Gamecocks pounced, setting up Sellers’ 10-yard rushing touchdown that extended the lead to 22-14 with exactly ten minutes remaining.
Under the bright lights and a rising crescent moon, Carolina fans began to believe — truly believe — that an upset was possible.
The collapse
But as the saying goes: It’s the hope that kills you.
After Alabama tied the game at 22-all on a Germie Bernard touchdown and a two-point conversion, the Gamecocks had one last chance to reclaim control. Instead, just two plays into the next drive, Sellers fumbled, giving Alabama possession deep in Carolina territory.
The Crimson Tide wasted no time capitalizing. On third-and-10, Bernard took a direct snap and sprinted 25 yards into the end zone — the game-winning touchdown with just 34 seconds to play.
A final sack of Sellers sealed the defeat, leaving the Gamecocks — and their fans — stunned once again.
The takeaway
South Carolina’s defense battled and the energy from the crowd was undeniable, but costly turnovers and red-zone inefficiency proved fatal once more.
As the Bon Jovi anthem “Livin’ on a Prayer” blared during the final timeout, it summed up the Gamecocks’ season perfectly — plenty of heart, flashes of brilliance, but still living on hope rather than victories.
