Shane Beamer had reason to be uneasy Saturday when LaNorris Sellers went down with an ankle injury in the first half against Texas A&M. The South Carolina quarterback briefly left the game, and for a moment, the Gamecocks were left wondering how much more he could give them.
He gave them plenty.
Sellers came back and helped push South Carolina to a 17-9 win in Week 10, finishing 20 of 31 for 251 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. Even while dealing with the injury, he stayed on the field long enough to steer a team that has now won four straight and moved to 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the SEC.
Beamer said after the game that he was “concerned” at halftime, and that concern carried into Sunday’s teleconference with reporters. But the update he delivered was encouraging.
“Everything today looks good. Got some tests done today.
Everything looked good with the tests,” Shane Beamer said. “We certainly feel good about his availability.
We’ll know a lot more in 24 hours, but certainly nothing concerning.”
That’s the kind of news South Carolina wanted after watching its quarterback battle through the afternoon and still finish the job.
The Gamecocks now turn to Week 11, where they’ll head to struggling Arkansas for a primetime matchup next Saturday night. Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. ET on SEC Network.
For South Carolina, the biggest question this week is simple: whether Sellers is ready to go again.
In Other News...
South Carolinas Momentum Comes With One Big LaNorris Sellers Concern
South Carolinas win over Texas A&M gave Shane Beamer exactly the kind of late-season lift he has been chasing, and it came in the sort of grind-it-out game that can define a teams November. The Gamecocks kept the scoreboard low, leaned on a defense that Beamer praised for holding the Aggies to just nine points, and in the process locked up a postseason trip while adding another quality result to a season that has been gathering momentum.
The one concern hanging over the celebration is LaNorris Sellers, who found the end zone but also re-injured his ankle during the game. His availability for the next stretch is now uncertain, and for a South Carolina team that has started to look more complete, the timing could hardly be more delicate. The defense has done its part, but the offenses next step may depend on how quickly Sellers can get back on the field. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina Is Back In The Poll And Facing A Huge Test
South Carolina is back in the poll, a small but meaningful step for a program trying to stay in the national conversation as the season tightens. The latest Coaches Poll brought plenty of movement around the Gamecocks orbit, with Notre Dame jumping to No. 3 after knocking off previously top-ranked Miami, Georgia reclaiming the No. 1 spot after handling Ole Miss, and Miami sliding to No. 6 after taking its first loss of the year.
For South Carolina, the ranking is only part of the story, because the next stretch will say far more about where this team really stands. Poll movement can create momentum, but it can disappear quickly when the schedule turns unforgiving, and the Gamecocks now face a huge test with the kind of stakes that can either validate their return or send them right back into the pack. [Read more 🡒]
South Carolina's Uneven Start Still Revealed Something Fans Will Like
South Carolina kept its unbeaten start intact with a 78-68 win over Southeast Missouri State, and the game offered a little of everything the Gamecocks will want to build on. Kory Mincy led the way with 19 points, including 15 after halftime, while Juan Fernandez added 18 points and seven rebounds as the offense found steadier footing when it mattered most.
Lamont Paris had reason to like the way his group adjusted after an uneven stretch, and the night also brought Marcus Johnson back into the mix for his season debut. Wearing a protective mask because of a facial injury, Johnsons return gave South Carolina another piece to monitor as it moves forward from a 2-0 start and tries to sharpen the parts of its game that still need work. [Read more 🡒]