Crimson Tide Surges Late to Stun Gamecocks

Trailing 22–14 with just over two minutes remaining, No. 4 Alabama showed why it's still a national title contender. Quarterback Ty Simpson led a 79-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard. Offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb dialed up a gutsy two-point conversion: Jam Miller pitched to Simpson, who found Josh Cuevas in the end zone to tie the game at 22–22.

On the ensuing South Carolina possession, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson stripped quarterback LaNorris Sellers, and Tim Keenan III recovered the fumble at the Gamecocks' 38-yard line. Bernard then took a direct snap, faked a pitch, and sprinted 25 yards for the game-winning touchdown with just 34 seconds left.

Key Performers

• Ty Simpson: 253 passing yards, 2 TDs, including the clutch fourth-quarter drive

• Germie Bernard: 1 receiving TD, 1 rushing TD, including the game-winner

• Deontae Lawson: Forced fumble that set up the final score

• DaShawn Jones: Returned an interception 18 yards for a first-quarter touchdown

Alabama's defense was pivotal in the final 10 minutes, allowing just 32 total yards while outgaining South Carolina 117–2 and outscoring them 15–0.

Coach and Player Reactions

Head coach Kalen DeBoer praised his team's resilience:

"They're going to keep playing, as long as they keep that mindset ... we're great in critical moments," he told CBS Sports.

Simpson echoed the team's motto:

"There was not one ounce of nonbelief ... we were going to be unbreakable with everything we had," he said postgame."

What's Next

Alabama (7–1, 5–0 SEC) heads into its second bye week before hosting LSU on November 8 at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide remains in firm control of its SEC West destiny and continues to build momentum behind Simpson's Heisman-caliber play.

South Carolina (3–5, 1–5 SEC) showed flashes of promise but couldn't close out the upset. Sellers finished with 222 passing yards, 67 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns, but his late fumble proved costly.

Alabama's next game is against LSU on Saturday, November 8, 2025, at 6:30 p.m. CT in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa. The game will be televised on ABC.