Late-game pick seals Palmetto Bowl victory for No. 15 South Carolina

In a messy back-and-forth Palmetto Bowl, South Carolina found a way to creep past the No. 12 Tigers. A late-game pick by Demetrius Knight Jr. sealed the win for South Carolina.

The Gamecocks got the ball rolling early in the first quarter, setting the tone for an intense game. Redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers 38 yards on the second play of the game.

However, four plays later, Sellers was sacked for a loss of five yards and fumbled the ball. Clemson sophomore defensive end TJ Parker recovered for South Carolina’s first turnover of the game.

Clemson’s defense recorded three sacks in the first half compared to none by the Gamecocks. Despite this, sixth-year linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. was an active part of South Carolina’s defense with nine total tackles.

Bam Martin-Scott also put up a valiant effort on defense with seven total tackles, including two tackles for loss.

Senior running back Phil Mafah proved to be an offensive threat on his feet for the Tigers throughout. In the first half, Mafah led the Tigers in rushing for 55 yards.

Offensive blocking was an Achilles heel for the Gamecocks. The Clemson defense succeeded in applying pressure to Sellers, forcing him to use his feet.

Rahiem “Rocket” Sanders struggled to shine as a result of blocking issues. Sanders ran for just 22 yards on 9 attempts in the first half.

Meanwhile, Oscar Adaway III was able to make a couple of plays of his own. The sixth-year running back recorded 41 yards in total.

Likewise, junior wide receiver Jared Brown stepped up where others fell recording 41 total yards.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik showed off his arm strength with multiple big throws. The Tigers got on the board first in the 2nd quarter on a 13-yard touchdown by Klubnik.

Sellers responded with a quarterback keeper of his own 25 yards to the end zone to tie the game at seven. At the half, the score remained tied at seven a piece.

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The second half got off to a rocky start for the Gamecocks. Jalon Kilgore went down early and needed to be assisted to the injury tent.

In addition, Klubnik continued to be a problem for South Carolina’s defense in the second half. Klubnik found the end zone early in the 3rd to put Clemson back in the lead.

In a make-or-break fourth quarter, the Gamecocks found a way. Sellers played a major part in South Carolina’s win as he was responsible for both of the Gamecocks touchdowns.

But South Carolina had to battle back from a turnover on the next possession. Sanders fumbled on an 11-yard gain, and cornerback Avieon Terrell recovered for the Tigers at their 34-yard line.

However, the Gamecock defense responded by recovering a Clemson fumble at their own 38. But momentum and making plays continued to be an issue for South Carolina on both sides of the ball.

Following multiple penalties at the end of the third quarter, South Carolina needed a positivity boost. Martin-Scott came up big with a sack for a loss of 9 yards.

Clemson sophomore safety Khalil Barnes intercepted a Sellers pass just shy of the end zone. But late in the fourth, Alex Herrera came through with a 42-yard field goal to bring the Gamecocks down by only four.

A failed onside kick attempt seemed to be the end for the Gamecocks, but Sellers had other plans. Sellers found the end zone with under two minutes left to play to give the Gamecocks the lead.

As the final seconds winded down, Klubnik went for it on 2nd & 10 on the South Carolina 15-yard line but the ball was picked off by Knight Jr. The Gamecocks defeated the Tigers 17-14.

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Up Next

The Gamecocks wait to hear their fate after clinching a bowl game. The final College Football Playoff rankings are revealed on Selection Sunday on Dec. 8th from 12-4 p.m. on ESPN.

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