Sellers Leads South Carolina Past Tennessee, Says Gamecocks Found a Way

South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers guided the Gamecocks to a 27-24 win over Tennessee on Saturday, sealed by a 48-yard field goal from Malik Orsan. Sellers completed 18 of 32 passes for 210 yards and a touchdown and added 96 rushing yards and another score, accounting for much of the production against a Tennessee defense he acknowledged afterward is among the best in the country.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Sellers described the win as an unpretty SEC result in which South Carolina simply found a way to finish. He credited the matchup between a strong Tennessee defense and what the Gamecocks believe is a good offense, and pointed to desire and closeness within the team as factors in closing out a game that remained tight into the final moments.

The result continues a sharp turnaround for South Carolina. Only a couple of weeks earlier the Gamecocks were 2-3 after consecutive losses in which they had led by 16 and 17 points, edge rusher Dylan Stewart had been suspended by head coach Shane Beamer for conduct detrimental to the team, and Beamer himself was facing pressure. Since then, with Sellers leading the way, South Carolina has beaten ranked Florida and Tennessee teams in succession.

For Tennessee, the loss comes despite limiting South Carolina for stretches and holding a late lead, while for the Gamecocks the next test is a road trip to Oklahoma to face the Sooners. Sellers, once regarded among the top quarterback prospects in the country, is again showing that talent as South Carolina tries to sustain its recovery over the remainder of the 2026 season.