South Carolina couldn’t overcome a huge first half from eighth-ranked Alabama Saturday night, as the Crimson Tide handed the Gamecocks a 49-18 SEC loss at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama quarterback Keelon Russell was the difference, completing 21 of 27 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns, while adding another score on the ground. The Crimson Tide piled up 489 yards of offense and improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the SEC.
South Carolina had opportunities early. Matt Fuller broke loose for a 56-yard run on the Gamecocks’ opening possession, but the drive ended without points. Alabama then struck quickly when Russell connected with Lotzeir Brooks for a 75-yard touchdown, beginning an offensive explosion that gave the Crimson Tide a 35-3 advantage late in the second quarter.
The Gamecocks finally found the end zone just before halftime when LaNorris Sellers connected with Nyck Harbor on a 41-yard touchdown pass, cutting Alabama’s lead to 35-10. Neither team scored in the third quarter, and South Carolina showed some life early in the fourth when Fuller scored on a nine-yard run. Maurice Brown II added the two-point conversion, pulling the Gamecocks within 35-18.
But Alabama answered with a long 74-yard drive capped by a Daniel Hill one-yard touchdown run. Russell later added a nine-yard rushing touchdown to put the game away.
Fuller was a bright spot for South Carolina, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown on 19 carries. Sellers finished 18-of-30 for 185 yards with one touchdown and one interception while adding 72 yards on the ground. South Carolina actually finished with 419 total yards, including 216 rushing, but two turnovers proved costly.
Alabama’s Ryan Coleman-Williams caught five passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, while defensive back Red Morgan returned a Sellers interception 23 yards for a touchdown during the Crimson Tide’s 21-point second quarter.
The loss drops South Carolina to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in SEC play, while Alabama remains unbeaten at 4-0.
