Shane Beamer provides injury update on LaNorris Sellers
Shane Beamer announced Saturday post-game that Gamecocks starting quarterback LaNorris Sellers suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday’s noon tilt against LSU.
“He’s got a little bit of an ankle sprain, I think he’s going to be fine,” Shane Beamer said.
The redshirt freshman left late in the third quarter of the 36-33 loss to the Tigers after trying to play through the injury, with Robby Ashford replacing the signal-caller under center for the remainder of the contest.
“If he’s not going to be able to move like he wants to move, we’ll get him out,” Beamer said of the decision to keep Sellers out of the game.
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Prior to the injury, Sellers had struggled through the air after a solid performance against Kentucky, going 9-16 with no touchdowns and one interception.
However, he did use his legs to great advantage, posting the longest quarterback run for a touchdown in program history with a 75-yard scamper to put the ‘Cocks ahead 24-10 in the second quarter. He finished the day with 88 yards rushing and two touchdowns on the ground.
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While Ashford was in the game, it was Rocket Sanders that saved the day, running into the endzone from 66 yards out to give the Gamecocks the fourth quarter lead. On the ensuing drive for LSU and Garrett Nussmeier, star freshman Dylan Stewart recovered a fumble in Tiger territory, and although South Carolina couldn’t gain a yard, an Alex Herrera field goal increased the Gamecock lead to 33-29.
South Carolina’s defense held their own, forcing a three-and-out next drive, but Ashford fumbled while trying to avoid a sack, handing the ball right back over to the Tigers. However, the Gamecock defense stepped up again, with Nick Emmanwori picking off Nussmeier in the endzone and returning it all the way back, though the return was negated by an unnecessary roughness call on Kyle Kennard, putting the South Carolina offense on their own 13-yard-line.
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After another three-and-out with Sellers out, LSU got a chance to pull ahead, and did with a Josh Williams rushing touchdown from two yards out. Given a chance to be the hero with 72 seconds left, Ashford got the ball to the 31-yard-line for an Alex Herrera field goal attempt which missed.
Sellers missed time in the second quarter of the Gamecocks’ victory over Kentucky with a lower body injury, with Ashford temporarily relieving him in that contest as well. Ashford would be next up as starting QB if Sellers were to miss time, with Davis Beville being the presumptive back-up to Ashford.
Ashford has previous starting experience at Auburn, throwing for 1,758 yards and nine touchdowns to go along with nine interceptions in two years with the Tigers. He also added 927 yards on the ground and 12 rushing touchdowns. Beville also has in-game experience with both Pitt and Oklahoma in blowout scenarios.
Looking forward, South Carolina will play Akron at home next Saturday, before being awarded an off week prior to a home date with Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss.
