Alabama survives a four quarter war with South Carolina

October 12, 2024 – TUSCALOOSA – Tide fans got a little more than they bargained for when the South Carolina Gamecocks came to town and pushed Alabama hard for a four quarter slugfest that lasted literally all the way to the final play of the fourth quarter.

The Alabama Crimson Tide survived a late comeback attempt by the Gamecocks to take away a narrow 25 to 27 win.

Alabama was a 21-point favorite, so most football fans expected Bama to get out to a big lead in the first half and put away South Carolina in the second half. The game appeared to be rolling along as scripted early in the game when Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe capped off a 9 play, 75-yard drive with a 2-yard run in for a touchdown. The Tide followed that with a 67 yard, 7 play drive capped off with a Justice Haynes 2 yard run 4:47 seconds into the second quarter.

South Carolina responded with a 10 play, 75-yard drive that was capped off with a 36-yard touchdown pass from quarterback LaNorris Sellers to Mazeo Bennett Jr. with 3:01 left in the half. Then Alabama got sloppy. South Carolina scored a safety. They then drove the ball down the field to score a field goal on the last play of the half.

Bama led the Gamecocks 12 to 14 at halftime.

The goal of every halftime is to come out and be the first team that scores. Alabama was held scoreless throughout the third quarter as the Tide's offense struggled. South Carolina scored on a 16 play 85-yard drive to take the lead.

South Carolina was leading in the fourth quarter 19 to 14.

Milroe and the Tide offense retook the lead on a Milroe 7-yard run capping off a 31-yard drive that was set up by great field position after a South Carolina fumble. The Tide failed on the two-point conversion, so Alabama led 19 to 20.

Germie Bernard caught a 34 Yd pass from Milroe to finish off a 10 play, 67-yard drive to take a 19-to-27-point lead with 4:14 to play in the Game.

South Carolina however was not done. The Gamecocks came roaring back. Nyck Harbor caught a 31-yard touchdown pass from Sellers. The two-point conversion failed so it appeared that Alabama had survived; however, Bama failed to secure the ball on the following kickoff. South Carolina successfully converted the onsides kick. South Carolina without any timeouts began a furious attempt to get the ball down the field for a field goal attempt that would have given South Carolina the win. It was not to be, as the game ended on an interception.

The narrow win keeps Alabama's dreams of playing in the Southeastern conference championship game and advancing to the playoffs.

Milroe had 16 completions on 23 attempts for just 209 yards. He had a touchdown passing and a touchdown rushing but he also threw two interceptions that helped keep South Carolina in the game.

The Tide is still having trouble running the ball. They had 104 yards rushing; but that was on 38 attempts.

The win takes Alabama to 5 and 1 overall and 2 and 1 in the SEC. The sixth win means that Alabama still needs one more win to be bowl eligible. South Carolina falls to 3 and 3 on the season and 1 and 3 in the conference.

Alabama travels to Knoxville next week to play Tennessee. The volunteers defeated Florida on Saturday to also improve to 6 and 1. The loser of the Alabama Tennessee game will have a very difficult path earning a berth to the SEC Championship game.

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