South Carolina just delivered a stunning 27-24 walk-off upset over No. 11 Tennessee on Saturday, a win made possible by a game-tying touchdown run from LaNorris Sellers and a last-second field goal. But let’s be real, this wasn’t just South Carolina taking it, it was Tennessee practically handing them the game with some seriously self-destructive plays.
Tennessee’s Penalty Nightmare Was Absolutely Brutal
You want to talk about shooting yourself in the foot? Tennessee managed to do it three times in crucial moments. Early in the fourth quarter, George MacIntyre threw what looked like a touchdown pass, giving them a chance to pull to a two-score lead. Gone. Called back due to a holding penalty. That wasn’t even the first one, folks; it was the third Volunteers touchdown wiped off the board thanks to penalties. Think about that: three scores gone! Instead of being up by multiple touchdowns, they had to settle for a measly field goal, keeping it a one-score game. Unreal.
And then, with the clock ticking and the Gamecocks still in it, Tennessee head coach Josh Heupel made a gutsy call. Or maybe not so gutsy when you consider the outcome. On fourth-and-one, out of field goal range and trying to burn clock, they went for it. Nope. South Carolina stuffed MacIntyre in the backfield. Just like that, the Gamecocks had a chance for a game-tying drive. Oh, and Tennessee still wasn’t done with the penalties. Another disastrous call, a 15-yard face mask, helped South Carolina march down the field.
South Carolina Capitalized Big Time When It Mattered Most
Credit where credit is due, South Carolina didn’t just wait for Tennessee to implode, they made them pay. With that massive penalty giving them a boost, LaNorris Sellers led the charge, then ran it in himself for the game-tying touchdown, writhing his way into the end zone. The extra point tied it up 24-all. But the drama wasn’t over. Tennessee got the ball back, hoping to regain the lead, and then it happened: MacIntyre was tackled, and Dylan Stewart, who just got back from a team-enforced suspension for throwing a punch last month, forced a fumble. South Carolina recovered, and suddenly, they had a chance for the walk-off win.
It wasn’t totally smooth sailing though. An ill-timed false start by South Carolina actually pulled them *out* of field goal range, which had to give everyone a heart attack. But Sellers, who was just electric all night, rushed them back into range, setting up the kicker. And with only two seconds left on the clock, Malik Orsan absolutely drilled the field goal, giving South Carolina the wild 27-24 walk-off victory. What a way to stun a ranked opponent!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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