Brian Kelly insists South Carolina’s blocked punt was ‘illegal’

Brian Kelly and the LSU Tigers defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks Saturday at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, South Carolina. The outcome is marred by penalties for some, and objectively it was not a well-called football game.

But Kelly had some gripes with the game, too. He told reporters postgame that South Carolina’s punt block early in the 2nd quarter was illegal and that he will be sending it to the SEC office for review.

Brian Kelly said LSU believes the blocked punt was an “illegal play.” They’re going to send it to the SEC office.

— Wilson Alexander (@whalexander_) September 14, 2024

Here’s the punt block in question. It is believed Kelly is upset about the South Carolina player jumping over the shield defenders:

Beamer Ball pic.twitter.com/mAiM660GGi

— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) September 14, 2024

The officials certainly made their presence known in this one, with both teams totaling 75+ penalty yards by the end of the day. LSU committed 9 penalties for 75 yards while South Carolina committed 13 penalties for 123 yards.

The Tigers and Gamecocks are now 2-1 on the season thanks to an insane afternoon in Columbia. South Carolina will surely be kicking themselves to let that one get away from them, especially when the Gamecocks at one point led 17-0.

LSU is back in action next weekend as they face off against UCLA.

Ethan Stone

Ethan Stone is a Tennessee graduate and loves all things college football and college basketball. Firm believer in fouling while up 3.