The No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks defeated the No. 23 Missouri Tigers 34-30 on Saturday afternoon at William-Brice Stadium in a back-and-forth battle that came down to the final minute of the game.
The annual rivalry, also known as the Mayor's Cup, started in 2012 when Missouri joined the Southeastern Conference. The rivalry stems from both schools residing in cities named Columbia. South Carolina’s win brought the trophy back to its Columbia for the first time in six years.
The game also marked South Carolina's first time this season playing an opponent as a ranked team. The Gamecocks were placed at No. 21 and No. 23 in the College Football Playoff rankings and the AP rankings, respectively. This was the first time since 2022 that the South Carolina football team has placed in the top 25.
South Carolina started the game off with an early touchdown as redshirt freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers connected with sophomore wide receiver Nyck Harbor for a 26-yard touchdown — Harbor’s first of the season.
South Carolina was able to hold its own throughout the first half, limiting Missouri's offense to only two field goals made by redshirt freshman kicker Blake Craig.
The Gamecock defense helped out its offense after a turnover on downs mid-second quarter. The South Carolina defense was able to draw two back-to-back offsides calls which followed with a three and out, giving the Gamecocks' offense the ball back.
The following South Carolina drive fell short after Sellers threw his first interception of the game. The interception was his first one since the Gamecocks played at Alabama.
Once the defense got the ball back into Sellers' hand after a Missouri missed field goal attempt, he threw two consecutive passing touchdowns to sixth-year tight end Joshua Simon and junior wide receiver Jared Brown, respectively, to take a 21-6 lead into halftime.
Missouri’s offense kept the game alive early in the second half, scoring on a two-yard rush from senior running back Marcus Carroll, making it 21-12 after a failed 2-point attempt from the Tigers.
The Missouri defense continued to prevent South Carolina from scoring, leading to a Missouri 25-yard field goal to make it a one-score game early in the fourth quarter.
After a Gamecock punt, graduate quarterback Brady Cook for Missouri completed a 49-yard catch to sophomore wide receiver Marquis Johnson. That play led to Missouri’s second lead of the game on a one-yard carry from fifth-year running back Nate Noel.
Sellers was able to find sixth-year wide receiver Dalevon Campbell deep in the back field after escaping a sack in the pocket for a 47-yard completion to get South Carolina in Missouri territory. A couple plays later, Sellers found freshman tight end Michael Smith in the end zone for a five-yard receiving touchdown, giving the Gamecocks the lead back 27-22 after a failed 2-point conversion attempt.
Missouri continued to fight back late in the fourth quarter, converting a fourth down and five yards into a 37-yard touch down pass to freshman wide receiver Luther Burden lll from Cook, taking a 30-27 lead.
With a little over a minute left in the game, South Carolina moved the ball quickly through through a sequence of plays.
Sellers found Campbell down the field for 39 yards to help get the Gamecocks into Tiger territory. Following that, Sellers delivered a shovel-pass to senior running back Raheim Sanders who ran the ball into the end zone, giving the team the lead back.
Missouri would get one more chance to score, but a sack from fifth-year edge Kyle Kennard and an interception by sophomore defensive back Jalen Kilgore sealed the win for the Gamecocks.
What's next?
The No. 21 South Carolina Gamecocks has its last home game of the season against the Wofford Terriers. This game will kick off at 4 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN+.