The Alabama Crimson Tide won a thriller in Tuscaloosa on Saturday afternoon over the South Carolina Gamecocks in a score of 27-25, avoiding what would have been the first time Alabama has lost back-to-back games in a decade, and the first in the regular season since 2007.
Overall, it was an incredibly ugly effort for a Crimson Tide team that blew an early 14-0 lead, ahead just 14-12 at the break. That followed a head-scratching timeout from Kalen DeBoer, which led to a Jalen Milroe interception and a free Gamecocks field goal on the last play of the half.
Things got off to a roaring start for Alabama with a 9-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to open up the game ending in a short Milroe rush:
Jalen Milroe pulls it and takes it for 6. 🔥
— Touchdown Alabama (@TDAlabamaMag) October 12, 2024
The Tide scored again late in the second quarter via a Justice Haynes short rush off another nice drive, but disaster struck from there with the 12 points from the Gamecocks to end the half.
South Carolina grabbed a 19-14 lead on a 16-play, 85-yard drive on their first possession of the half, before relentless pressure on Jalen Milroe put the Tide in a spot where things were getting dire. While the offense sputtered, the defense started to play better, and held the Cocks to 19 until early in the fourth quarter where a fumble set the Tide up to take the lead via another Milroe rush:
QB POWER! 😤 pic.twitter.com/ueUAbRwS8u
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 12, 2024
A missed 2-point conversion kept it at a one point game and South Carolina missed a long field goal attempt on their ensuing possession, pushing the game to the brink. Things really looked over when with just under two minutes left, Milroe found Germie Bernard wide open for a touchdown to push the lead to 8:
Right on the 🤑@JalenMilroe ▶️@oti_germie
📺: ABC pic.twitter.com/sR0CyejO3O
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) October 12, 2024
With under two minutes left and no timeouts remaining, South Carolina went down the field and scored via a circus catch from Nyck Harbor in the end zone. Needing two to tie, the Cocks did not convert, making the game appear over for the second time.
In a second straight stunner, the Gamecocks would recover an onside kick to keep the game alive, taking over at midfield and just needing a field goal to win. The Tide defense stood tall and did not allow South Carolina into field goal range, proceeding to intercept a last second heave with Domani Jackson making the game-winning play:
"HOW GREAT IS THE SEC ON A DAY LIKE THIS!"
Alabama survives in a thriller vs. South Carolina❗️ pic.twitter.com/F9mrnitgJ3
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) October 12, 2024
Jalen Milroe finished the game 16 of 23 for 209 yards, a touchdown, two interceptions, and the two rushing touchdowns. Bernard was the leading receiver with 4 catches for 89 yards and the score.
Alabama must get better than what they have shown in the last two weeks, and quickly. Next week, it’s a trip to Knoxville for the Third Saturday in October against Tennessee. But at least for afternoon, the Tide can enjoy being 5-1 and getting back in the winning column.
Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.
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