The 3-2-1: Three key plays, two game balls, one burning question from South Carolina's win over Clemson
We look at the key plays, game balls, and a burning question after South Carolina pulled off a thrilling win over Clemson.
Three Key Plays
1. Houdini Part 3 plus a fumble
This is a two-fer. On the second play of the game, LaNorris Sellers appeared to be bottled up in the backfield but escaped the sack and scrambled for 38 yards. It’s the sort of unbelievable play we’ve come to expect from Sellers and it showed the game wasn’t going to be too big for him. Unfortunately, the other part of the Sellers Experience came a few plays later when he fumbled on a sack in the red zone, killing the drive. It was the story of the game for South Carolina, who had to come from behind and cling to victory because of turnovers.
2. Scramble
Things looked dire. Dalevon Campbell had failed to catch a touchdown in the back of the end zone, and then a false start back South Carolina up to 3rd and 16 from the 20. Sellers dropped back, felt pressure, stepped up, and took off. He slipped a tackle, ran away from another, got the first down, cut to the end zone, and broke another tackle for the game-winning touchdown. It’s a play that will live forever as part of the rivalry.
3. Picked
After South Carolina had taken the lead, Clemson quickly – and easily – got into range for the game-tying field goal and a shot at a game-winning touchdown. On second and 10 at the Gamecock 15, Cade Klubnick was pressured by Kyle Kennard and threw behind Phil Marfah, who tipped the pass. Demetrius Knight, Jr. made a diving interception, picking the ball up right before it hit the ground.
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Two Game Balls
LaNorris Sellers
We’re not ignoring the turnovers, without which South Carolina wouldn’t have needed his heroics. But this was a game that makes a legend. Sellers didn’t have a great passing game but still went 13-21 for 164 yards with one interception. But he absolutely ran circles around Clemson’s defense. Sellers rushed for a career-high 166 yards on just 16 carries. He became the first power conference player with 150 yards passing and rushing this season, and by the time he lined up for that third down in the fourth quarter, his game-winning run felt inevitable.
Demetrius Knight, Jr.
Knight’s day was more than just the game-clinching interception. He also had 10 tackles to lead all players. On a day when South Carolina didn’t have its normal dominant pass rush, it was players like Knight doing the dirty work to keep Clemson’s offense in check.
One Burning Question
Was that enough to impress the selection committee and move into the college football playoff?
Nobody knows. And, writing this a little before 4:00 pm on Saturday, there is a lot of football still to be played. But South Carolina won, which was the only thing the Gamecocks could control. Sellers’ star turn can’t have hurt South Carolina’s case. But we all just sit and wait.
