No. 16 LSU Survives Upset Big From South Carolina

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The No. 16-ranked LSU Tigers (2-1, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) traveled to Williams-Brice Stadium to take on the South Carolina Gamecocks (2-1, 1-1 SEC) in a controversial but thrilling SEC game. Despite some questionable calls, this game featured high-energy college football action with big plays by NFL-ready stars and key contributors who will be major factors for both programs in the future. The Tigers emerged victorious with a 36-33 win.

Breaking Down LSU, South Carolina's Offense 

The Gamecocks experienced two distinct halves. They began with a strong offense, commanding a 17-0 lead. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers was a standout, achieving more than 100 passing yards and 100 rushing yards and scoring multiple touchdowns in the first half. However, an injury to Sellers at the end of the second quarter disrupted the offensive flow. Backup QB Robbie Ashford, who excels at running rather than passing, struggled to maintain the offense's momentum. Despite this, Raheim "Rocket" Sanders had a phenomenal game, accumulating 143 yards and scoring 2 touchdowns, which kept the Gamecocks in contention to tie the game late.

On the other hand, the Tigers' offense kept fighting all game although there was no running game from RBs Kaleb Jackson and Josh Williams. They found success with Freshman RB Caden Durham, whose 98 yards and 2 touchdowns kept the offense balanced and kept their QB out of hero-ball scenarios. Wide Receiver Kyren Lacy is an NFL player and proved it with his big plays down the stretch won the game for the Tigers, but follow WR mate Aaron Anderson was a valuable option today with 98 yards on 5 catches and kept the chains moving on multiple occasions.

The LSU, South Carolina Defense 

The Gamecocks showed impressive defensive skills throughout the game, with defensive end Kyle Kennard making a significant impact. He effectively blocked passing and rushing lanes, resulting in 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. This made it challenging for the Tigers' offense to find answers. However, as the game progressed, the Gamecocks began to tire. Although they appeared to secure victory with a pick-six, it was overturned, setting the stage for an exciting finish.

The Tigers' defense was reminiscent of last season when they ranked at the bottom of college football in various categories. However, after Sellers' injury, they began to anticipate the Gamecocks' one-dimensional approach to their attack. Defensive player Bradyn Swinson had a standout performance, recording 3 sacks on the quarterback, while linebacker Whit Weeks led all tacklers with 11 tackles, benefitting from the defensive line's strong penetration.

Final Thoughts on the LSU victory

The Tigers were fortunate to win this game, but a win is a win. They stay alive in the SEC standings and have found a running back in Durham who can help them in their ground attack. However, their defense is still a problem, with many leakages upfront and in the backend.

The Gamecocks have to hope that Sellers's injury is not lingering because their success will depend on his mobility. The one-two punch between him and Sanders is deadly, but the loss is not as important as the injury. There was a lot to love about how head coach Shane Beamer's team fought, which is a great quality to bestow on a team—heart.