In a wild SEC showdown, Garrett Nussmeier and the No. 16 LSU Tigers refused to let early mistakes define their day. Trailing 17-0 in the second quarter, LSU mounted an extraordinary comeback to secure a thrilling 36-33 victory over South Carolina on Saturday, in Columbia. This triumph marks one of the largest comebacks in LSU’s road-game history.
Nussmeier, who threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, made a critical mistake late in the game with an interception at the goal line. But the young quarterback quickly shook off the miscue. He commanded a game-winning touchdown drive that culminated in a 2-yard scoring run by Josh Williams with just 1:12 left on the clock.
Asked about his mindset after the interception, Nussmeier didn’t flinch: "You can’t dwell on it. The only thing that matters is finishing the game."
Head coach Brian Kelly praised his team’s resilience and mental toughness, a theme throughout their gritty win. "This team never quits. They have a determination that’s embedded in who they are," Kelly said. LSU (2-1) not only celebrated their first SEC win of the season but also extended their winning streak to eight against South Carolina (2-1, 1-1).
The game had LSU fans on the edge of their seats for most of the afternoon. The Tigers were plagued by errors, including a blocked punt and failed snaps, allowing South Carolina to dominate the first half. Star freshman Caden Durham sparked the comeback with a 26-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 17-7. By halftime, LSU had narrowed the gap to 24-16.
South Carolina's LaNorris Sellers, who ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns, provided several big plays, including a historic 75-yard touchdown run—the longest by a quarterback in school history. However, Sellers’ second-half ankle injury limited his mobility, and LSU took advantage.
Despite multiple defensive lapses, including a 66-yard touchdown run by Arkansas transfer Raheim Sanders that briefly restored South Carolina's lead in the fourth quarter, LSU never lost hope. Nussmeier and the offense came alive in the final minutes, setting up Williams’ game-winning touchdown.
The Gamecocks had a chance to tie the game as time wound down, but kicker Alex Herrera's 49-yard field goal attempt sailed wide, sealing the win for LSU. South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer expressed frustration with his team’s 13 penalties and missed opportunities. “We hurt ourselves in critical moments,” Beamer said. “But we have a lot to build on."
LSU heads back to Tiger Stadium to face UCLA next weekend, while South Carolina will try to bounce back against Akron at home.
In a game full of twists and turns, it was LSU’s heart, determination, and refusal to give up that made the difference—an attitude that Coach Kelly hopes will carry them through the rest of the season.
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