South Carolina coach Shane Beamer is confident that his 16th-ranked Gamecocks deserve a spot in the postseason, aiming for a national championship.
“It’s hard for me to say we’re not one of the 12 best teams in the country,” a happy Beamer said on Saturday after his team pulled off another dramatic win, thanks to quarterback LaNorris Sellers, beating No. 12 Clemson 17-14.
Sellers scored his second touchdown with 1:08 remaining, a 20-yard run, to help South Carolina win their sixth straight game. Four of those victories were against ranked teams.
“Are you paying attention, College Football Playoff selectors?” Beamer asked.
The Gamecocks (9-3, 5-3 SEC; No. 15 CFP) have shown their strength with Sellers, a freshman who is playing confidently and calmly. He rushed for 166 yards and passed for 164 yards.
Two games ago, he set career highs with 353 yards passing and five touchdown throws, leading South Carolina to a 34-30 win over Missouri after rallying from a fourth-quarter deficit twice.
This time, despite an interception near Clemson’s goal line with less than 11 minutes left, Sellers stayed calm and led the Gamecocks to a field goal and then the winning touchdown. Sellers dodged a defender, broke through the line, and ran left to the end zone.
Sellers knows that defenders get frustrated trying to tackle him, but they can’t bring him down. He’s a 6-foot-3, speedy quarterback in his first year starting after Spencer Rattler.
When asked how he does it, Sellers replied, “I don’t really know.”
Beamer explained, “He’s a competitor, he’s a warrior. He doesn’t get too high or too low. He’s out there having fun.”
The Gamecocks are hoping for more success in the future, feeling confident that they’ll be included in the expanded College Football Playoff field. And they know Sellers will be leading them.
“He’s a magician, man,” said Gamecocks linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr. “LeMagic, LeComeback, whatever you want to call him.”
Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC, No. 12 CFP) had a final chance to tie the game but drove to the South Carolina 18-yard line with 16 seconds left. However, Cade Klubnik’s pass was intercepted by Knight, ending the game.
South Carolina had a rough start to the season, sitting at 3-3 after a loss to Alabama in mid-October. Since then, they’ve won their longest streak since 2012.
Clemson was hoping to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff but made too many mistakes, and their defense couldn’t stop Sellers.
“He’s a great player and made great plays,” said Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter.
Clemson will have another chance to secure a playoff spot in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game after No. 8 Miami lost to Syracuse 42-38. The Tigers will face No. 9 SMU, hoping to win their eighth ACC title in the last 10 years.
Both teams entered this game with momentum, Clemson winning three straight and South Carolina winning five, including victories over ranked opponents like Texas A&M, Vanderbilt, and Missouri.
However, neither team found their offensive rhythm in the first half.
Sellers was sacked by T.J. Parker, who recovered the ball after the sack, giving Clemson a chance. The Tigers drove to South Carolina’s 11-yard line but decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 instead of kicking a field goal. Mafah was stopped short by Jalon Kilgore and Knight.
Klubnik scored two touchdowns for Clemson, one on a 13-yard run and the other on an 18-yard run.
