COLUMBIA, S.C. — In a standout performance, LaNorris Sellers led South Carolina to a significant victory over No. 10 Texas A&M, defeating them 44-20 on Saturday night. Sellers demonstrated his dual-threat capability by rushing for 106 yards and throwing for an impressive 244 yards, marking the Gamecocks’ (5-3, 3-3) crucial win against a team that was a serious contender for the Southeastern Conference playoff spots.
The Gamecocks faced tough competition, pushing LSU and Alabama to their limits earlier this season. However, against Texas A&M (7-2, 5-1), who had allowed just 104.5 rushing yards per game coming into the match, Sellers and senior transfer Raheim Sanders made a significant impact. Sanders, who transferred from Arkansas and was honored as an All-SEC player, delivered a commanding performance with 144 rushing yards and two touchdowns, contributing to the team’s total of 286 rushing yards.
Sellers not only showcased his prowess in the air with two touchdown passes but also added to the scoreboard with another rushing touchdown. After a strong start where South Carolina took a 14-0 lead within six minutes, Texas A&M fought back to momentarily gain the lead before halftime.
Despite that resilience from the Aggies, South Carolina’s defense made key plays at critical moments. They successfully stopped Texas A&M twice on fourth-and-1 opportunities, intercepted a pass from freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, and recovered a fumble that ultimately ended the Aggies’ last chance to mount a comeback.
With Reed completing 18 of 28 passes for 206 yards and adding 46 rushing yards, he stepped in as the starting quarterback due to Conner Weigman’s absence. Unfortunately for the Aggies, leading rusher Le’Veon Moss left early in the game and did not return.
In terms of implications from this matchup, Texas A&M’s loss is a setback in their pursuit of the SEC title but remains a part of a competitive playoff picture. They join other teams like LSU, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas, each with a single conference loss. The Aggies will need to regroup as they face Auburn next week before closing their regular season against Texas.
For South Carolina, this victory reinforces their unpredictable nature in the SEC. They expressed their capability to compete with top-tier teams and are on the verge of securing a bowl appearance, with a matchup against lower division Wofford looming on the horizon.
As for rankings, Texas A&M is expected to drop in the polls following their defeat. However, due to a tie among teams like Iowa State and Clemson, the drop may not be as drastic as anticipated.
Next up, Texas A&M will host New Mexico State on November 16, while South Carolina travels to Vanderbilt for their next game next Saturday.
