{"id":254273,"date":"2025-10-27T09:05:07","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T09:05:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/254273\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T09:05:07","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T09:05:07","slug":"national-reactions-to-south-carolinas-heartbreaking-loss-to-alabama","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/254273\/","title":{"rendered":"National reactions to South Carolina’s heartbreaking loss to Alabama"},"content":{"rendered":"

On Saturday afternoon, South Carolina played a closer-than-expected game against the Alabama Crimson Tide. However, despite being up by eight points with less than three minutes to play, the Gamecocks lost in regulation, 29-22.<\/a><\/p>\n

USC didn\u2019t capitalize on enough Alabama mistakes, and the Tide made plenty on both sides of the football. Because of those missed chances, Shane Beamer\u2019s team collapsed late, dropping to 3-5 (1-5) on the 2025 season.<\/p>\n

There were plenty of national reactions to the loss.<\/p>\n

The Insiders Forum: <\/a>Discuss South Carolina football<\/a>!<\/p>\n

In their instant reaction show, the Crain and Company crew of Jake Crain, Blake Crain, and David Cone praised the Gamecocks\u2019 effort in the close loss, especially the play of the USC defense. However, they criticized South Carolina\u2019s offense\u2019s inability to make much happen without asking LaNorris Sellers to carry the load. \u201cI don\u2019t know if anyone carries his team more than that guy,\u201d Jake Crain said.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

On3\u2019s Andy Staples, who grew up as a Gamecock fan, claimed the loss was \u201cchicken curse\u201d stuff. During the week nine instant reaction version of Andy and Ari, Staples and co-host Ari Wasserman said it seemed as if South Carolina was destined to lose when Alabama tied it up with a two-point conversion late.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Barstool Sports\u2019 Tate Moore questioned why South Carolina went for two (and failed) to try to go from down two to tied and then didn\u2019t try to go for two to move from up seven to up nine later in the game.<\/p>\n

South Carolina should\u2019ve went for 2 to make it a 9 point game. Not sure why teams don\u2019t try and make it a two possession game in that situation<\/p>\n

\u2014 Ohio\u2019s Tate (@BarstoolTate) October 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Another coaching question came from ESPN\u2019s Booger McFarland. The former LSU and NFL defensive lineman didn\u2019t like South Carolina\u2019s decision to allow Alabama to score at the end of the game, arguing that the Crimson Tide\u2019s kicker missing a field goal attempt was a more likely outcome than a last-second touchdown drive from the USC offense.<\/p>\n

What the hell just happened in South Carolina ? Better chance of a kicker missing a FG than gamecocks scoring with 34 seconds left. Wow<\/p>\n

\u2014 Booger (@ESPNBooger) October 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

[Get our free newsletter!\u00a0Don\u2019t rely on search engines and social media for your Gamecock info.]<\/a><\/p>\n

Though the Gamecocks fell short, ESPN NFL Draft analyst and scout Jordan Reid\u2013who was in Columbia for the game\u2013was impressed by LaNorris Sellers\u2019 long hookup with Nyck Harbor in the third quarter. Sellers threw the ball 60 yards in the air to connect with Harbor for their second long touchdown this season.<\/p>\n

Beautiful 54-yard TD throw from Sellers to Nyck Harbor on the post route. Same exact concept they ran in Week 1 vs. Virginia Tech for a TD.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Jordan Reid (@Jordan_Reid) October 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Sportsbook Review\u2019s Rob Paul highlighted defensive back Jalon Kilgore\u2019s recovery on a fourth-quarter pass breakup. His effort likely saved a Ty-Simpson-to-Germie-Bernard touchdown. Kilgore\u2019s play was one of several impressive one-on-one pass breakups by Gamecock defensive backs against Alabama\u2019s loaded receiver room.<\/p>\n

The Birmingham News\u2018 Kevin Scarbinsky gave some deserved props to the South Carolina defensive line. Nick Barrett, Monkell Goodwine, Dylan Stewart, and Bryan Thomas Jr. were really good most of the day. The Gamecocks limited Alabama to 72 total rushing yards and pressured quarterback Ty Simpson often.<\/p>\n

Alabama O-line getting worked by the South Carolina front.<\/p>\n

\u2014 Kevin Scarbinsky (@KevinScarbinsky) October 25, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Up next, South Carolina will play against the Ole Miss Rebels. Kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m. ESPN will carry the broadcast, while the ESPN app will make the action available via streaming.<\/p>\n