Alabama Holds Off South Carolina’s Comeback Bid, Secures Crucial SEC Victory

No. 7 Alabama narrowly escaped another potential upset just a week after being stunned by Vanderbilt. The Crimson Tide managed a 27-25 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, fueled by a late-game surge. Alabama, led by first-year coach Kalen DeBoer, scored 13 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to stave off consecutive defeats and improve to 2-1 in SEC play.

South Carolina made it a tense finish. Wide receiver Nyck Harbor hauled in a 31-yard touchdown pass to pull the Gamecocks within two points late in the game. However, quarterback LaNorris Sellers overthrew Vandrevius Jacobs on the crucial 2-point conversion attempt, missing a chance to tie the game.

South Carolina didn’t go down easily. An onside kick attempt after their late touchdown bounced off two Alabama players, giving South Carolina another opportunity to win the game. But on the next play, Sellers threw a deep pass that was intercepted by Alabama cornerback Domani Jackson, who had been beaten on Harbor’s touchdown catch earlier in the game. This sealed the game for Alabama and snuffed out South Carolina’s hopes for a dramatic comeback.

Though Alabama’s defense wasn’t flawless, it came through in key moments, including Jackson’s interception. After quarterback Jalen Milroe was picked off in the end zone early in the fourth quarter, Alabama’s defense recovered a fumble deep in South Carolina territory. Milroe quickly capitalized, scoring a seven-yard rushing touchdown to put Alabama ahead 20-19.

Alabama followed that with a critical stop, forcing South Carolina into a difficult 51-yard field goal attempt, which they missed. The Crimson Tide then responded with another touchdown drive, giving them enough cushion to withstand South Carolina’s late push. Alabama held the Gamecocks scoreless for over 20 minutes prior to Harbor’s touchdown.

The win also helped Alabama preserve two impressive streaks. They extended their run of 80 consecutive home victories against unranked teams, the longest streak of its kind in three decades. Additionally, they avoided back-to-back regular-season losses for the first time since 2007 and dodged becoming the first team since 1997 Texas Tech to lose two games as 20-plus point favorites in the same season.

South Carolina had several chances to retake the lead or tie the game in the final 10 minutes, but each drive ended in disappointment: a missed field goal, a failed two-point conversion, and finally, an interception that dashed their hopes of an upset.