Sellers, South Carolina Down Missouri in Big Fourth Quarter

© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

On Nov. 16, the No. 21-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks (7-3, 5-3 Southeastern Conference) defeated the No. 23 Missouri Tigers (7-3, 3-3) in front of a raucous crowd at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, S.C. After an exchange of touchdowns late in the fourth quarter, South Carolina running back Rocket Sanders scored on a 15-yard shovel pass to give the Gamecocks a lead with 15 seconds left in the game. It was the first victory over Missouri for South Carolina since 2018.

Game Summary

It was all South Carolina in the first half. Quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw 3 TD passes in the first half, including a pair of scores with less than three minutes left in the first half. The Gamecocks held a 21-6 halftime lead. But Missouri found its offense in the second half, scoring 16 unanswered points to take a 22-21 lead. With about 5 minutes left in the fourth quarter, South Carolina regained the lead on another Sellers TD pass.

On the ensuing drive, the Tigers blew an opportunity on third-and-short when the running back and quarterback went opposite directions on an attempted handoff. Missouri made up for it on fourth down when quarterback Brady Cook, a surprise starter on the day, hit receiver Luther Burden III for a 37-yard TD pass with just over a minute left to play. No time, no problem for Sellers and the Gamecocks' offense. South Carolina drove 70 yards in 47 seconds, capping the drive with a Sellers shovel pass to Sanders to take the lead for good.

Play of the Game

The play of the game could easily be the shovel pass, but why pick one singular play when Sellers had so many to choose from? Obviously, the game-winning score is a huge play. How about the plays that Sellers made on that 70-yard drive, like the completion to receiver Dalevon Campbell for 37 yards to get South Carolina to the Missouri 21-yard line?

Or the 47-yard pass completion to Campbell after avoiding a potential huge sack on the previous TD drive? Once again, Sellers served up a smorgasbord of ridiculous plays to choose from as he led his team to victory. He finished with 353 yards passing and 5 touchdowns.

© Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Looking Ahead: South Carolina

The Gamecocks still have their sites on the College Football Playoff. While they aren't totally eliminated from playoff contention, it is probably for the best that Gamecocks fans don't hold their breath. South Carolina may not make the playoffs, but they will have an opportunity to squash in-state rival No. 17 Clemson's (8-2, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) playoff aspirations at the end of the season. The immediate future may not excite the South Carolina faithful, but the Gamecocks are in good hands going forward with Sellers at the helm.

Looking Ahead: Missouri

Missouri entered the game still gunning for a playoff spot amongst the jumbled SEC field. With a third conference loss, it is highly likely that the Tigers find themselves on the outside looking in. Missouri finishes the season with two conference games in Mississippi State (2-8, 0-6) and Arkansas (5-5, 3-4).