09/26/26 09:55:00
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09/26 21:53 CDT No. 8 Alabama starts fast, overwhelms South Carolina 49-18 to
remain unbeaten
No. 8 Alabama starts fast, overwhelms South Carolina 49-18 to remain unbeaten
By HENRY SKLAR
Associated Press
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) --- Keelon Russell threw for 365 yards and four
touchdowns and ran for another score as No. 8 Alabama beat South Carolina 49-18
on Saturday night.
Ryan Coleman-Williams caught two TD passes, and Red Morgan returned an
interception for a score for the Crimson Tide (4-0, 2-0 Southeastern
Conference).
Russell completed 21 of 27 passes as Alabama answered a sluggish third quarter
with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. The Gamecocks (2-2, 0-2) pulled within
35-18 before Alabama regained control.
Daniel Hill's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 10-play, 74-yard drive that
consumed 6:43 and stretched the lead to 42-18. Russell added a 9-yard scoring
run after Dijon Lee Jr. forced a fumble that Luke Metz recovered.
Alabama scored touchdowns on four consecutive first-half possessions, beginning
with Russell's 75-yard pass to Lotzeir Brooks.
Coleman-Williams caught TDs of 32 and 42 yards, and Josh Ford added a
one-handed TD reception. Morgan's 23-yard interception return pushed the lead
to 35-3 in the second quarter.
LaNorris Sellers led the way for the Gamecocks, throwing for 185 yards with a
touchdown to Nyck Harbor and an interception, and running for 72 yards. Matt
Fuller added 112 yards and a touchdown on the ground.
The takeaway
South Carolina: After pushing Alabama in two close losses the past two seasons,
the Gamecocks took a step backward, adding to the pressure on coach Shane
Beamer.
Alabama: The Crimson Tide quieted concerns about slow starts and recovered from
a third-quarter lull. With five currently ranked opponents still ahead,
sustaining that intensity will be essential to proving itself as a top
contender in the SEC.
Up next
South Carolina hosts Kentucky next Saturday.
Alabama visits No. 24 Mississippi State next Saturday.
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