Gamecocks Dominate Vanderbilt: 28-7 Win Secures Bowl Eligibility
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — South Carolina’s head coach Shane Beamer had his doubts about how the Gamecocks would perform against a ranked SEC opponent on the road after their big victory against then-No. 10 Texas A&M last week. However, his concerns quickly vanished.
Raheim Sanders shone brightly, rushing for 126 yards and scoring two touchdowns while also catching a touchdown pass as South Carolina overpowered No. 24 Vanderbilt 28-7 on Saturday. This victory marks the Gamecocks’ second consecutive win over a Top 25 team.
With this win, South Carolina improved to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC, making them eligible for a bowl game. Beamer expressed his pride in the team’s performance.
“This isn’t an easy place to play for many reasons,” Beamer stated. “Everyone anticipated a letdown after last week, but our guys showed up and played a tough, gritty game, which is really rewarding for our team.”
For Vanderbilt (6-4, 3-3), this marks 16 consecutive losses to their former SEC Eastern rival. The defeat was particularly disappointing as it was their largest margin this season, following closely fought losses in their first three games.
Vanderbilt’s coach, Clark Lea, harshly criticized the performance, labeling it a “three-phase debacle” against a physically superior South Carolina team. “I’m frustrated… we didn’t showcase ourselves like we wanted to,” Lea remarked.
LaNorris Sellers was vital in keeping the Gamecocks in control, managing 238 passing yards and two touchdown passes. He helped South Carolina take a 7-0 lead at halftime with a 17-yard touchdown throw to Joshua Simon.
The Gamecocks extended their lead to 14-0 at the start of the third quarter, thanks to an impressive escape from Sellers, who found Jared Brown for a 51-yard gain, leading to a 33-yard touchdown run by Sanders.
Vanderbilt’s Diego Pavia, a promising first-year transfer, attempted to spark a comeback with a 17-yard touchdown run that narrowed the score to 14-7. However, Sanders sealed the win with a 1-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter and a 43-yard catch in the fourth.
Pavia ended the game with 166 passing yards and 65 rushing yards before sustaining an injury late in the game. Coach Lea stated that they would evaluate Pavia’s condition in the coming days.
Poll Implications
Vanderbilt’s defeat likely ends their brief stay in the Top 25, while South Carolina will try to make a case for joining the rankings. Coach Beamer noted that the Gamecocks seem to be overlooked by poll voters.
“Keep doubting us. That’s how we like it,” Beamer said, confident in his team’s performance without a ranking.
Key Takeaways
- South Carolina won its third SEC road game since 2011, adding this to victories against Kentucky and Oklahoma this season.
- Vanderbilt struggled to contain Pavia’s elusiveness, which has been pivotal for their season, but the Gamecocks succeeded in limiting his effectiveness throughout the game.
In a light-hearted moment, Beamer also mentioned disappointment over the absence of their live mascot, Sir Big Spur, at Nashville’s FirstBank Stadium, noting that it was disappointing for a league where many schools feature theirs.
What’s Next
South Carolina will host Missouri next Saturday, while Vanderbilt is set to travel to face No. 14 LSU on November 23.
