COLUMBIA — South Carolina football sacked Jaxson Dart on third down, then immediately got called for unsportsmanlike conduct.
That summed up Saturday’s 27-3 loss to No. 11 Ole Miss.
The Gamecocks (3-2, 2-1 SEC) fell short in nearly every category, and for the first time since 2021, didn’t score a touchdown in a game. The Rebels (5-1, 1-1) came to Williams-Brice Stadium with no fear, and picked up their first conference win of the season.
Even with the return of LaNorris Sellers at quarterback, South Carolina could only garner 162 receiving yards, and 145 rushing yards, and allowed 425 total yards on defense.
Ashford checks back in for final drive of the day
Sellers had a chance to give South Carolina it’s first score of the day, but couldn’t connect and instead threw to an Ole Miss defender.
The Gamecocks down by 24 with just over a quarter to play.
Former South Carolina player, now wide receiver for Ole Miss, Juice Wells nearly had a 64-yard touchdown but he fumbled in the end zone, and the ball rolled out, ruled a touchback.
South Carolina looks much stronger coming out of halftime, but the improved play ends with a missed field goal. 9:18 to play in the third.
With 31 seconds to go, the Gamecocks run the 1-yard touchdown.
The Rebels try to get South Carolina offsides on 4th and 2, but the Gamecocks don’t budge. Kicking team comings out for Ole Miss and field goal is good.
Alex Herrera’s 40 yard field goal is good to get the Gamecocks on the board. LaNorris Sellers began the drive with a 30 yard run.
Eight plays, 59 yards, 3:07 for the Rebels, who score with 5:57 to play in the opening quarter.
Robby Ashford comes in the game for South Carolina and immediately fumbles the ball running up the middle. Ole Miss gets the ball on the 41.
The Rebels score on a three yard run by Henry Parrish Jr. South Carolina set up Ole Miss nicely after a failed trick punt, giving the ball to the Rebels on the 36.
Shane Beamer tells radio reporter Todd Ellis that Sellers will start.
Running back Rocket Sanders and quarterback LaNorris Sellers are off the injury report and available for the game. The two were warming up with the other players an hour before kickoff.
MORE:South Carolina football’s LaNorris Sellers, Rocket Sanders warming up ahead of Ole Miss
South Carolina vs. Ole Miss will be broadcast on ESPN. Dave Pasch and Dusty Dvoracek will call the game from the booth at Williams-Brice Stadium, with Taylor McGregor reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
Ole Miss has one of the best offenses in the nation but is coming off a underwhelming performance against Kentucky, which the Gamecocks took care of in Week 2. It’ll be a huge test for South Carolina to see if it can handle the fast-paced offense from the Rebels and it’s hard to think Ole Miss drops two games in a row, after getting upset by the Wildcats. Ole Miss 24, South Carolina 21
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
South Carolina
Ole Miss
The forecast for kickoff in Columbia is 82 degrees and partly cloudy.
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