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Rocket Sanders breaks several tackles en route to late TD as South Carolina knocks off Missouri
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Rocket Sanders and South Carolina appeared on their way to a demoralizing home defeat against Missouri.
With 15 seconds to go, though, the tables turned. Sanders took a shovel pass from LaNorris Sellers, breaking several Mizzou tackles on his way to the end zone as the Gamecocks took a 34-30 lead.
It came just moments after the Tigers pulled ahead 30-27 to erase what had been a 21-6 Gamecocks lead at halftime. Brady Cook connected with Luther Burden from 37 yards out as Mizzou went out in front with 70 seconds to go.
Sellers, though, led a 6-play, 70-yard drive in just 47 seconds, culminating in Sanders’ touchdown that served as the eventual game winner. Here’s the video:
IT’S… IT’S BEAUTIFUL!!! https://t.co/AnbD9l7BOX pic.twitter.com/5PCjHrSBue
— Gamecock Football (@GamecockFB) November 17, 2024
Cook ultimately threw an interception on the ensuing drive as the Tigers’ hopes of a miracle finish came up well short.
For the Gamecocks, though, their run of recent success continues. Shane Beamer’s team has now won four in a row, their last loss coming against Alabama on Oct. 12.
More importantly, their College Football Playoff hopes remain in tact. The Gamecocks were No. 21 heading into Saturday’s game, right below No. 20 Clemson, who defeated Pitt on a late Cade Klubnik 50-yard touchdown run.
With both teams facing FCS opponents in their next games, there’s a very real possibility that the Gamecocks and Tigers’ Palmetto Bowl matchup on Nov. 30 is a Playoff eliminator.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
