Fourth-ranked Alabama stunned South Carolina in the final seconds, leaving thousands of students just beyond hedges in the end zone during an improbable 29-22 road win over the Gamecocks on Saturday. Germie Bernard’s 25-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds left clinched Alabama’s seventh straight win and pushed its record to 5-0 in SEC play this season, this coming on the heels of four consecutive wins over ranked competition.
The Crimson Tide trailed most of the second half before tying the game with 2:16 to play on Ty Simpson’s two-point conversion toss to Josh Cuevas following a scoring reception from Bernard. On South Carolina’s ensuring possession with the score knotted at 22, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson ripped the football from quarterback LaNorris Sellers’ arms as he was being tackled by nose guard Tim Keenan with 1:39 to play.
Sellers took a quarterback draw into the teeth of Alabama’s defense before he was stripped at his own 38-yard line. The play was upheld after review and gave the Crimson Tide their second takeaway of the contest — and arguably biggest of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama.
“They’re going to keep playing, as long as they keep that mindset … we’re great in critical moments,” DeBoer told the broadcast crew after the game. “I’m proud of Deontae, I’m proud of (Tim Keenan) … they’re the heart and soul, they’re captains and has been here forever. I’m proud of our coaching staff for keeping these guys in the right direction.”
Scroll down as CBS Sports provides you with highlights and analysis as Alabama escaped South Carolina in Week 9.