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South Carolina

National reactions to South Carolina's sloppy loss to LSU

Screenshotby: Kevin Miller10/12/25kevinmillerGC
South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart against LSU. Photo by: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral
South Carolina EDGE Dylan Stewart against LSU. Photo by: CJ Driggers | GamecockCentral

On Saturday, South Carolina football dropped a very winnable game to the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge, 20-10. The Gamecocks fell to 3-3 overall and 1-3 in Southeastern Conference play.

A sloppy, undisciplined, offensively-challenged football game was within reach late for Shane Beamer’s team. However, the same problems the team has struggled with all season (poor blocking, penalties, questionable play calling) bit USC again in this game against LSU.

There were plenty of national reactions to the Gamecocks’ loss.

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It was not a pretty football game. South Carolina and LSU combined for five turnovers (eight if you count turnovers on downs and missed field goals) and 18 penalties. The Gamecocks had 13 overall flags thrown against them. Neither team blocked well, nor did they play clean games on special teams. 107.5 The Game’s Elijah Campbell was one of many who were dissatisfied with what he saw on the field Saturday night.

The ugly play was especially prevalent on offense, as pointed out by CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford.

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One of the few positives offensively, redshirt freshman Matt Fuller broke loose for a 72-yard touchdown run to put USC ahead in the first quarter. The scamper impressed another former No. 28, All-SEC running back Mike Davis. For some reason, though, Fuller only had five carries in the final three quarters.

Once again, pass protection from the offensive line was brutal for South Carolina. Because of that, Gamecock quarterback LaNorris Sellers was running for his life most of the night. Saturday Down South writer Connor O’Gara recognized that Sellers’ 19 yards rushing were much more impressive than the box score would indicate. He turned multiple big losses into positive plays with Houdini-like escapes.

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For the second year in a row, South Carolina was on the receiving end of a horrendous officiating decision against LSU. Wiping away a fake punt conversion, a flag flew for “illegal procedure” against punter Mason Love, something that would only be possible if he had committed a false start, which he did not. The officials delayed Love from accepting the snap on the play to allow LSU a chance to make substitutions. The Tigers did not substitute, and the official moved behind Love. Still, the flag flew with no explanation. Sirius XM host Maggie Gray said that the Gamecocks “got hosed.”

Tight end Trey’Dez Green might have been the difference for LSU in this game. The 6-7 playmaker had a historic day for the Tigers, registering eight catches for 119 yards, a touchdown, and a final reception that put the offense in position for the game-sealing field goal. Several of his catches also came in one-on-one situations. LSU beat writer Jace LeJeune knew that the Gamecocks couldn’t defend Green in those situations.

Down by seven, on 4th-and-4 late in the game, South Carolina had a chance to continue a drive. Offensive coordinator Mike Shula called what looked like a one-read pass to the outside against one of LSU’s two elite cornerbacks. Mansoore Delane easily knocked away the pass, all but ending the game. ESPN LSU reporter Hunt Palmer was not impressed with the play call.

Up next, South Carolina will return home for a date with the Oklahoma Sooners. Kickoff has been set for 12:45 p.m. SEC Network will carry the broadcast, while the ESPN app will make the action available via streaming.

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