LaNorris Sellers ousts No. 15 South Carolina over No. 12 Clemson, winning 17-14

No. 12 Clemson’s hopes of making the College Football Playoff are still alive despite a 17-14 home loss to No. 15 South Carolina. The Gamecocks clinched the victory with two great touchdown runs from South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers.

With just over a minute left, South Carolina took a three-point lead after Sellers went for a 20-yard touchdown run on third-and-16.

On one final drive, Clemson moved the ball down the field and had a chance to score, but quarterback Cade Klubnik threw an interception that sealed the victory for the Gamecocks.

After a difficult first quarter that included a South Carolina fumble on the first drive and Clemson turning it over on downs, the Tigers struck first with a touchdown in the second quarter. But the Gamecocks followed with a touchdown of their own. Sellers kept the ball and ran 25 yards into the end zone to make the score 7-7.

Clemson then opened the second half with another touchdown to take a 14-7 lead. Klubnik also ran for both of Clemson’s touchdowns and accumulated 62 total rushing yards.

A chaotic third quarter saw back-to-back turnovers for both teams, with the Gamecocks fumbling the ball first and the Tigers going for it right after. Early in the fourth quarter, Clemson safety Khalil Barnes fended off Sellers to give the Tigers the ball back, but the team was forced to punt after a three-pointer.

South Carolina then overcame the seven-point deficit with a field goal, and then Sellers played hero for the game-winning touchdown, finding the hole in the defense and deflecting two tackles to get into the end zone. Sellers finished the game with 16 carries, accumulating more rushing yards (166) than passing yards (164).

The loss drops Clemson to 9-3 but can still reach the CFP. The Tigers retreated to the ACC title game after Syracuse upset Miami late Saturday. They face SMU next Saturday with a CFP bye on the line.