LaNorris Sellers and Raheim Sanders Lead South Carolina to Statement Win Over No. 10 Texas A&M
In a thrilling and physical showdown at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night, the South Carolina Gamecocks (5-3, 3-3) delivered one of the most impressive victories of the season, knocking off No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20. The win was a statement for the Gamecocks, who had played tough but fallen short in close losses to LSU and Alabama earlier in the season. This time, however, South Carolina’s freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers and senior transfer Raheim Sanders made sure the Gamecocks finished strong, as they ran, threw, and defended their way to a dominant win over one of the Southeastern Conference’s playoff hopefuls.
Sellers and Sanders Shine in Historic Victory
It was a breakout night for both Sellers and Sanders. Sellers, in just his fourth full game as a college starter, put on a dazzling performance, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while also rushing for 106 yards and a touchdown. His dynamic playmaking ability helped the Gamecocks build an early lead, and they never looked back.
“He’s special. He’s just going to get better,” said South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer of the freshman quarterback. Beamer noted that Sellers’ inexperience had shown in previous losses to LSU and Alabama, but this time, the young signal-caller took charge. "When he had those two losses against LSU and Alabama, he was inexperienced."
The other star for the Gamecocks was Raheim Sanders, the All-SEC transfer running back from Arkansas, who proved to be a nightmare for the Aggies' defense. Despite Texas A&M’s stingy rushing defense, which had allowed only 104.5 yards per game coming into the contest, Sanders powered his way to 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His bruising style and ability to break tackles helped South Carolina control the tempo and outgain the Aggies on the ground, finishing with 286 rushing yards as a team.
Aggies Fight Back But South Carolina Stays Strong
Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1) entered the game with a perfect record in SEC play but quickly found themselves in a hole. The Gamecocks jumped out to a 14-0 lead less than six minutes into the game, and it looked like South Carolina was set to run away with it. However, the Aggies didn’t go down quietly.
A&M responded with a strong drive to cut the lead to 14-13 before halftime, and for a brief moment, it seemed like they might wrest control of the game. But South Carolina’s defense showed its teeth, shutting out the Aggies in the second half and stymieing their attempts to get back into the game.
The Gamecocks’ chaotic and opportunistic defense came through at critical moments. They twice stopped Texas A&M on fourth-and-1 attempts, with the Aggies unable to convert on key plays in South Carolina territory. In the fourth quarter, with A&M driving to cut into the lead, Sellers’ defense struck again. Freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, who was starting in place of the injured Conner Weigman, made an ill-advised throw off his back foot that was intercepted, and moments later, Reed fumbled while attempting to escape pressure, allowing South Carolina to scoop up the ball and effectively seal the win.
Reed finished the game 18 of 28 for 206 yards, adding 46 yards rushing, but the Aggies'offense lacked the spark needed to keep up with the Gamecocks. With the loss, Texas A&M’s SEC title hopes took a significant hit, though they are still very much in the race, sitting with just one conference loss along with LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas.
Texas A&M’s Injury Woes and Future Outlook
The Aggies’ day was further complicated by injuries. Leading rusher Le’Veon Moss left the game early and did not return, though head coach Mike Elko indicated that the injury might not be as serious as initially feared. Moss’ absence left a gap in A&M’s offense, which struggled to gain momentum in the second half.
Despite the setback, the loss is not necessarily fatal for Texas A&M’s SEC Championship aspirations. The Aggies still have a chance to finish strong with a road game at Auburn next week before hosting Texas to close the regular season. With a crowded field of contenders vying for a spot in the SEC Championship game, Texas A&M’s path to Atlanta remains open, but they will need to regroup quickly if they are to make their first-ever appearance in the SEC title game.
South Carolina: A Team to Watch
For South Carolina, the win was a reminder of just how dangerous they can be when firing on all cylinders. The Gamecocks have been one of the most unpredictable teams in the SEC this season, showing flashes of brilliance in narrow losses to LSU and Alabama. But on Saturday night, they finally put it all together against a top-tier opponent.
Shane Beamer was understandably proud of his team's physicality, especially after hearing all week about Texas A&M’s dominant lines of scrimmage. "We’re a pretty freaking physical team around here too," Beamer said with pride. The Gamecocks outmuscled the Aggies in the second half and shut them out, sending a message to the rest of the SEC that South Carolina is not to be taken lightly.
With the win, South Carolina moved to 5-3 on the season, and they are now just one win away from bowl eligibility, with a matchup against lower-division Wofford still on the schedule. If the Gamecocks can build on this momentum, they could finish the season strong and play spoiler in the SEC as they head into the final stretch.
Conclusion
In a season full of highs and lows, South Carolina’s 44-20 win over Texas A&M may be their most significant achievement yet. The combination of LaNorris Sellers’ dynamic play, Raheim Sanders’ power running, and a defense that stepped up when needed most was too much for the Aggies to handle. With the win, the Gamecocks have proven they can beat anyone in the SEC—and they’re just getting started.
Author
Cameron Williams
DiSportsPhotoAgency
Senior Writer
