It started with a bomb — a 75-yard touchdown pass on the very first play from scrimmage. LaNorris Sellers, the South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback, launched a rocket to his younger brother, Jayden Sellers, who caught it in stride and sprinted untouched into the end zone. That wasn’t a fluke. It was a statement. And by the time the final whistle blew at Williams-Brice Stadium on November 22, 2025, South Carolina had demolished Coastal Carolina Chanticleers 51-7, ending a five-game losing streak in the most dominant fashion imaginable.
A Turnaround in Columbia
The Gamecocks entered this game at 4-7, 1-7 in the SEC — a team drowning in frustration after a crushing 31-28 loss to Kentucky the week before. Their offense had mustered just 419 total yards over their previous five games. Fans were tuning out. Critics were writing them off. But on a chilly Saturday afternoon in Columbia, everything changed. South Carolina’s offense didn’t just wake up — it exploded. They scored 20 points in the first quarter alone, a feat they hadn’t accomplished in a single quarter all season. By halftime, they had racked up 419 yards and a 37-0 lead. Coastal Carolina, averaging nearly 200 rushing yards per game, managed just 46 on the ground. It wasn’t just a loss. It was a dismantling.Sellers Brothers Steal the Show
LaNorris Sellers was the architect. He finished with four total touchdowns — two rushing, two passing — and 312 yards through the air. His 75-yard bomb to Jayden Sellers set the tone, but the real magic came later. In the second quarter, Sellers found tight end Brady Hunt on a quick slant that turned into a 32-yard touchdown. Then, on a designed run, he tucked the ball and broke free for a 19-yard score, his second rushing TD. Jayden, for his part, finished with four catches for 127 yards — a breakout performance that had fans buzzing about his NFL potential.Defense Awakens After Months of Struggles
If the offense was fireworks, the defense was a lockdown. Bryan Thomas Jr. forced a fumble deep in Coastal Carolina territory in the second quarter, leading directly to Hunt’s second rushing touchdown. The Gamecocks’ front seven held Coastal Carolina’s run-heavy attack — which had averaged 194 rushing yards per game — to a season-low 46. Quarterback Jameson Tucker, who entered the game as the Sun Belt’s most efficient passer, completed just 14 of 27 throws for 112 yards and was sacked three times. The Chanticleers didn’t score until the fourth quarter, when Tucker returned a blocked punt 17 yards for a touchdown — a small consolation that didn’t erase the embarrassment.
Blocking, Timing, and a New Identity
The offensive line, long criticized for poor protection, finally delivered. Boaz Stanley delivered a textbook block on Sellers’ 19-yard touchdown run, springing him into the open field. And when Donovan Murf caught a 12-yard pass in the back corner of the end zone — keeping both feet in bounds — it wasn’t luck. It was precision. The Gamecocks converted 8 of 12 third downs. On fourth-and-seven, Malik Mega hauled in a 15-yard catch, followed by Howell stretching for the pylon to make it 44-0. This wasn’t just talent. It was execution.What This Means for the Season
For South Carolina, this win was about more than just ending a losing streak. It was about relevance. Their 51 points were their highest since a 56-35 win over Vanderbilt on October 5, 2024. Their 44-point margin of victory was their largest since a 60-point win over Charleston Southern in September 2024. Coach Shane Beamer didn’t give a long postgame speech — he didn’t need to. The scoreboard spoke for itself. With this win, the Gamecocks improved to 3-3 at home and kept their slim bowl hopes alive. They’ll face archrival Clemson on November 29 in what now feels like a must-win for momentum heading into next season.For Coastal Carolina, the loss drops them to 6-5 overall and 5-2 in the Sun Belt East. They remain in third place behind James Madison and Old Dominion, but their bowl prospects — once looking strong — now hinge on how the selection committees view their collapse against a struggling SEC team. Their 2-4 road record now looks even more precarious.
What’s Next?
South Carolina’s season ends with Clemson. A win there could give the program a positive springboard. A loss? It might mean another offseason of rebuilding. But for one night in Columbia, the Gamecocks looked like a team with direction again. The offense had rhythm. The defense had teeth. And the Sellers brothers? They became the story of the season.Frequently Asked Questions
How did LaNorris Sellers’ performance compare to his previous games this season?
Before this game, LaNorris Sellers had thrown just 8 touchdown passes all season and averaged 192 passing yards per game. Against Coastal Carolina, he threw for 312 yards and four total touchdowns — his best performance by far. His passer rating jumped from 112.4 to 215.7 for the game, the highest of his college career.
Why was Coastal Carolina’s rushing attack so ineffective?
Coastal Carolina entered the game averaging 194 rushing yards per game, led by running back Javon Baker. But South Carolina’s defensive line, led by Bryan Thomas Jr. and linebacker Darnell Washington, consistently collapsed the pocket and stuffed runs at the line. The Gamecocks held them to just 18 total rushing attempts — their fewest since 2022 — and limited Baker to 12 yards on 8 carries.
What’s the significance of Jayden Sellers’ 127-yard game?
Jayden Sellers, a freshman, had never topped 70 receiving yards in a game before. His 127-yard performance was the most by a South Carolina receiver since Deebo Samuel in 2018. His four catches included three gains of 25+ yards, showing he can stretch the field — a rare skill in South Carolina’s offense over the past two seasons.
Did this win improve South Carolina’s bowl chances?
South Carolina is now 4-7, still below the 6-win threshold for most bowl eligibility. But with a win over Clemson next week, they’d reach 5-7. While unlikely to get a major bowl bid, they could land in a lower-tier bowl like the Duke’s Mayo Bowl or Gasparilla Bowl if other teams fall short. The win kept their postseason hopes mathematically alive.
How does this game compare to South Carolina’s past blowouts?
This 44-point margin is South Carolina’s largest since a 60-point win over Charleston Southern in 2024. Their last win over an FBS opponent by more than 30 points was a 42-7 win over Missouri in 2021. The 579 total yards were their highest since 2020, when they rolled past Georgia State 63-17.
What does this mean for Shane Beamer’s future as head coach?
Despite a 1-7 SEC record, Beamer has maintained strong fan support due to recruiting success and program culture. This win — especially after five straight losses — could buy him more time. Athletic director Ray Tanner reportedly told staff the team’s effort and execution in this game was the best they’ve seen under Beamer. A win over Clemson could shift the narrative from rebuild to resurgence.
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