Current:Home > MyAlabama averts disaster with late defensive stop against South Carolina -Elevate Capital Network
Alabama averts disaster with late defensive stop against South Carolina
View
Date:2025-04-18 07:20:20
Correction: This story was updated to adjust South Carolina's third-down conversions and the turnovers forced by Alabama.
After losing to Vanderbilt for the first time since 1984 last week, Alabama looked to get back into the win column against South Carolina on Saturday.
The Crimson Tide accomplished that task, but not in the way they wanted with a late defensive stand securing a 27-25 victory at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Alabama held the 14-12 lead at halftime before South Carolina went ahead 19-14 with a touchdown midway through the third quarter. Jalen Milroe secored on 7-yard touchdown run to put Alabama ahead in the fourth quarter. His 34-yard touchdown pass to Germie Bernard with 1:54 left made the score 27-19.
The Gamecocks were not done, responding with a touchdown drive of their own, capped by a LaNorris Sellers pass to Nyck Harbor. They were then successful on their onside kick attempt and regained possession with 34 seconds remaining. But the Alabama defense held firm, Domani Jackson intercepted Sellers on the last play of the game to clinch the victory.
In the early stages of the game, it seemed like Alabama would cruise. Behind rushing touchdowns by Milroe and Jam Miller, it led 14-0 midway through the second quarter. South Carolina, though, went onto put up 12 points across the final two minutes of the first half, cutting the deficit to two.
The Gamecocks' first score came from a 36-yard touchdown pass from Sellers to Mazeo Bennett Jr. to convert on fourth and 9. On Alabama's ensuing drive, Milroe threw the ball away in the end zone after facing pressure, resulting in an intentional grounding penalty and a South Carolina safety.
Alabama then forced a fumble on South Carolina's next drive, giving it the ball at its own 47 with 48 seconds remaining in the half. Two plays later, Milroe was picked off by Jalon Kilgore, who returned the ball to the Alabama 19-yard line to set up a 37-yard Alex Herrera field goal to close out the half.
Third-downs stops were hard to come by last week for Alabama against Vanderbilt, with the Commodores converting 12 of their 18 third-down attempts (66.7%). Saturday against South Carolina, it was much different, at least in the first half.
The Crimson Tide held the Gamecocks to 0 of 5 on their third-down conversions attempts across the opening two quarters. The second half was a bit of a different story, with Gamecocks opening the half converting on 5 of 5 third-down attempts. They finished the game going 7 of 15 on third-down attempts (46.7%).
Turnovers and sacks were also hard to come by for Alabama last week vs. Vanderbilt, the Crimson Tide being unable to record a single one. On Saturday, the Crimson Tide forced four turnovers and caused four sacks for -36 yards.
The Alabama offense had generated at least 393 yards of offense in its first five games Facing the Gamecocks, the Crimson Tide offense managed 313 total yards compared to 372 by South Carolina.
Saturday marked the first time Milroe has thrown multiple interceptions, only being intercepted twice leading into it. Milroe went onto finish the day accounting for two rushing touchdowns while going 16 of 23 passing for 209 yards and a touchdown.
Jam Miller led the Alabama backfield with 42 yards on 12 carries, while Bernard led Alabama's receiving corps with four receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.
veryGood! (6757)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- Ravens claim No. 1 seed in AFC playoffs with another dominant display against Dolphins
- That's a wrap: Lamar Jackson solidifies NFL MVP case with another dazzling performance
- Climate activists from Extinction Rebellion target bank and block part of highway around Amsterdam
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Concerned about Michigan stealing signs? What Nick Saban said before Rose Bowl
- Dolphins' Raheem Mostert out against Ravens as injuries mount for Miami
- Horoscopes Today, December 29, 2023
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Up First briefing: Life Kit has 50 ways to change your life in 2024
Ranking
- The 401(k) millionaires club keeps growing. We'll tell you how to join.
- Nigel Lythgoe Responds to Paula Abdul's Sexual Assault Allegations
- A man is arrested in Arkansas in connection with the death of a co-worker in Maine
- LeBron James fumes over officials' ruling on apparent game-tying 3-pointer
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- A man is arrested in Arkansas in connection with the death of a co-worker in Maine
- UFL (the XFL-USFL merger) aims to not join long line of failed start-up pro football leagues
- Your New Year's Eve TV Guide 2024: How to Watch 'Rockin Eve,' 'Nashville's Big Bash,' more
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Georgia football stomps undermanned Florida State in Orange Bowl
Watch this family reunite with their service dog who went missing right before Christmas
Ravens claim No. 1 seed in AFC playoffs with another dominant display against Dolphins
Behind on your annual reading goal? Books under 200 pages to read before 2024 ends
NFL playoff format: How many teams make it, how many rounds are there and more
Lori Vallow Daybell guilty of unimaginable crimes
A killer's family helps detectives find victim's remains after 15 years