No. 7 Alabama escapes South Carolina with ugly win at home

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Coming off a loss, Alabama got back in the win column on Saturday afternoon, albeit in an ugly way. The Crimson Tide took down South Carolina 27-25 in a back-and-forth game that was anything but pleasing to the eye.

Alabama jumped out to a 14-0 lead, but absolutely fell apart in the second quarter. Over the course of just a few minutes to end the half, South Carolina scored its first touchdown, recorded a safety on Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe, and ended the half with a field goal off a Milroe interception, quickly cutting the lead to 14-12 at the break.

In the second half, the Gamecocks controlled the clock much like Vanderbilt did in last week’s loss, taking the lead in the third quarter.

But the Crimson Tide defense stepped up, creating a takeaway in the fourth to give its offense a short field, which was capitalized on, and stopping South Carolina on the game-tying 2-point conversion to seal the game.

Milroe completed 16-of-23 passes in the game for 209 yards and a touchdown, while also throwing two interceptions. He also added 36 yards rushing a two more rushing touchdowns, giving him two scores on the ground in five of six games this season.

The win moves Alabama to 5-1 on the season and 2-1 in the SEC, with a monster road trip to No. 8 Tennessee on deck next week.

HOW IT HAPPENED

First Quarter

Alabama 7, South Carolina 0 (11:00)

Alabama marched down the field on its opening drive, scoring a touchdown on a 9-play, 75-yard possession. Jalen Milroe punched in the score with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, and also completed all three of his pass attempts for 63 yards on the drive.

Second Quarter

Alabama 14, South Carolina 0 (4:38)

After two straight drives ended in punts, Alabama found success again in the second quarter, going 67 yards in seven plays to extend the lead to 14. Running back Justice Haynes punched in a 2-yard score for the Crimson Tide’s second touchdown of the game.

Alabama 14, South Carolina 7 (1:37)

Needing an answer, South Carolina found one with a touchdown drive late in the half. The Gamecocks got held to 4th-and-long from the 37-yard-line, but quarterback LaNorris Sellers found an open man in the end zone for a long touchdown play to cut Alabama’s lead in half. It looked like freshman cornerback Zay Mincey, in the game for the injured Domani Jackson, was who got beat on the route.

Alabama 14, South Carolina 9 (1:28)

On the first play following the touchdown, Milroe was called for intentional grounding in the end zone, resulting in a safety and two points for South Carolina.

Alabama 14, South Carolina 12 (0:00)

On what seemed to be Alabama’s final play of the half, Milroe threw an interception and it was ran back into Alabama territory. The officials put one second back on the clock, leading to a 37-yard Gamecock field goal as time in the half expired.

Third Quarter

South Carolina 19, Alabama 14 (6:20)

The Gamecocks opened the second half with a monster drive, taking 18 plays, converting five times on third down, and chewing 8:35 of game clock to drive down and take the lead. A 1-yard touchdown from running back Raheim Sanders punched in the touchdown.

Fourth Quarter

Alabama 20, South Carolina 19 (10:42)

Alabama received a gift, with South Carolina fumbling immediately after Alabama threw an interception. The takeaway gave Alabama a short field, which it capitalized on by way of a 7-yard rushing touchdown from Milroe to regain the lead. The 2-point try was unsuccessful.

Alabama 27, South Carolina 19 (1:54)

The Crimson Tide forced South Carolina to kick a field goal while the Gamecocks were threatening to take the lead back, and they missed. On the ensuing drive, they went 67 yards in over four minutes, with Milroe tossing a touchdown pass to Germie Bernard to extend the lead.

Alabama 27, South Carolina 25 (0:43)

The Gamecocks drove down and scored a touchdown in the final minute, but the tying 2-point conversion was no good, giving Alabama the win.