LaNorris Sellers injury update: How South Carolina QB's exit doomed Gamecocks' upset bid vs. LSU

Sarah Effress

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LaNorris Sellers injury update: How South Carolina QB's exit doomed Gamecocks' upset bid vs. LSU image

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers went down with a right ankle injury just before the end of the first half against No. 16 LSU.

At the time of Sellers' exit, the Gamecocks looked primed for an upset of the Tigers, in large part thanks to the play of the redshirt freshman. But he hobbled off the field favoring his left foot as backup quarterback Robby Ashford checked in.

Sellers would return in the third quarter, but Ashford handled most of the rest of the game. Although the Tigers ultimately came out on top, 36-33, South Carolina put up a valiant fight and even led with as little as 3:30 remaining in the contest.

Before leaving the game for good, Sellers accumulated 113 yards on 9-of-16 passing with one interception. He also ran for 88 yards and two touchdowns, including a 75-yard score in the second quarter — setting a school record for longest touchdown run by a quarterback in the process.

Here's are the latest updates on Sellers' injury as the Gamecocks failed to upset their SEC foes in Columbia.

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LaNorris Sellers injury update

While Sellers returned to the sideline and tossed some passes with Ashford and fellow quarterback Dante Reno after halftime, his ankle was heavily taped, ESPN's Holly Rowe reported.

"He is going to try to play," Rowe said. "They're just not sure how much he can do."

Ashford got the start in the second half against the No. 16 Tigers with the score at 24-16 Gamecocks. Sellers reentered the game on South Carolina's second drive of the half after LSU scored and subsequently failed a 2-point conversion. The Gamecocks went three-and-out with just under five minutes remaining in the third.

The Tigers scored to take their first lead of the game on the following possession before Ashford replaced Sellers once again on South Carolina's next drive.

How South Carolina QB's exit doomed Gamecocks vs. LSU

After Ashford's opening drive of the second half — a three-and-out for South Carolina — LSU traveled 45 yards to put another touchdown on the board and bring the score within two. Running back Caden Durham ran into the end zone from nine yards out and head coach Brian Kelly elected to go for two, but the Tigers couldn't convert, leaving the Gamecocks with a 24-22 lead.

Sellers returned to the field after that, but he couldn't even get past the line of scrimmage, ending his final drive with a punt. LSU would take its first lead on the ensuing drive, as quarterback Garrett Nussmeier spearheaded an 80-yard march ending with another rushing score by Durham.

Now trailing by five points, the Gamecocks needed just three plays to get back in front. Facing a third-and-1 at their own 34, running back Raheim Sanders skirted to the outside and sprinted 66 yards for a touchdown. Despite a failed 2-point conversion, South Carolina led 30-29 with most of the fourth quarter remaining.

The Gamecocks' defense that came up with the next big play. Nussmeier fumbled on LSU's own 24-yard line and edge Dylan Stewart recovered the ball for the Gamecocks. Ashford was unable to facilitate any gain on the following drive, so head coach Shane Beamer sent out kicker Alex Herrera, who nailed a 42-yard try to give South Carolina a 33-29 lead.

Each team turned the ball over once in the next four scoreless possessions. Ashford fumbled, while Nussmeier threw an interception.

South Carolina's Nick Emmanwori initially ran it back from the opposite end zone for a touchdown, but his teammate Kyle Kennard was penalized for unnecessary roughness and the play was called back to the Gamecock 10. Ashford went three-and-out again and Beamer punted before the decisive final three minutes of play.

In his final possession of the game, Nussmeier put together LSU's winning drive in eight plays for 55 yards. South Carolina was called on two penalties, one of which was an offsides that moved the Tigers to their own 2-yard line two plays before Josh Williams ran it in to put LSU up 36-33.

The Gamecocks had 1:12 remaining to either win the game or send it to overtime. Ashford led his offense all the way to LSU's 31, rushing for 24 yards and completing a 31-yard pass to Vandrevius Jacobs during the drive. With just four seconds left in regulation, Herrera was called on again on third-and-9 for a 49-yard try which he inevitable missed, dashing the team's dream of a SEC upset.

LaNorris Sellers stats

Passing

  • C/ATT: 9-16
  • YDS: 113
  • AVG: 7.1
  • TD: 0
  • INT: 1

Rushing

  • CAR: 10
  • YDS: 88
  • AVG: 8.8
  • TD: 2
  • LONG: 75

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South Carolina vs. LSU score

Team1234F
No. 16 LSU01661436
South Carolina7170933

Sarah Effress

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Sarah Effress is an editorial intern for The Sporting News. She is a recent graduate of Northwestern University, and loves to talk soccer and women's college sports.