South Carolina at No. 8 Alabama: Game Central Rundown, Live Updates, Analysis

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.— Alabama and South Carolina have met the last two seasons with each matchup coming down to the final drive of the game and a Crimson Tide victory. The two teams meet once against in Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday for the SEC home opener for Alabama.

The Gamecocks (2-1 0-1 SEC) are coming off a home loss to Mississippi State in which they couldn't hold onto a 16-point first-half lead. No. 8 Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC) beat Florida State at home in a non-conference matchup.

For the first time this season, players and fans alike will get to experience pleasant weather for an Alabama home game with temperatures expected to be in the low 80s at kickoff and droping into the 70s throughout the game.

The game is scheduled for a 6 p.m. CT kickoff on ESPN.

South Carolina at Alabama Scoring, Breakdown

Fourth Quarter

2:00- Russell scrambles for a nine-yard touchdown run. He was initally ruled down by the goal line but it was overturned. This was Russell's fifth total touchdown of the night. Alabama 49, South Carolina 18

7:40- Daniel Hill takes the direct snap in from two yards out for Alabama's first score since the final two minutes of the second quarter. Alabama offense needed that type of response so that the Gamecocks couldn't work their way back into the game. Alabama 42, South Carolina 18

14:29- On a fourth-and-2, Matt Fuller rushes for a nine-yard touchdown. Maurice Brown III rushes it in for the two-point conversion. The Gamecocks aren't giving up. Nice drive of 13 plays and 75 yards. This game isn't over quite yet. Alabama 35, South Carolina 18

END 3: Alabama 35, South Carolina 10

Third Quarter

Both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter, but the Gamecocks are knocking on the end zone and will have it third-and-4 at the Alabama 12 coming out of the break.

HALFTIME: Alabama 35, South Carolina 10

South Carolina at Alabama halftime stats | Statbroadcast

Second Quarter

0:35- For the third straight season, Nyck Harbor burns the Alabama defense for a touchdown. This time, it's from 41 yards out. The Gamecocks get a much-needed touchdown right before the break. The defense will have to contain Russell over the next 35 seconds though. Alabama 35, South Carolina 10

2:20- Alabama is starting to score faster than I can type. Red Morgan intercepts LaNorris Sellers and easily returns it 23 yards for a pick-six. Vibes are high in Bryant-Denny right now. Alabama 35, South Carolina 3

2:33- Everything is coming up roses for the Alabama offense right now. Transfer tight end Josh Ford records his first catch in a Crimson Tide uniform with an impressive one-handed snag for a three-yard touchdown. Russell is now 11-of-13 for 226 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama 28, South Carolina 3

7:22- Keelon Russell has ALL DAY to throw, and he find an open Ryan Coleman-Williams for a 42-yard touchdown. Russell's fantastic game continues. He's up to 187 yards. Alabama 21, South Carolina 3

10:52- South Carolina gets on the board with a 34-yard field goal from Malik Orsan. Another drive where the Gamecocks were able to move the ball on the Alabama defense. Alabama 14, South Carolina 3

END 1: Alabama 14, South Carolina 0

First Quarter

0:00- Alabama scores on the final play of the first quarter. Keelon Russell connects with Ryan Coleman-Williams from 32 yards out. Russell is now 6-of-7 for 135 yards and two touchdowns. Alabama 14, South Carolina 0

Right on the 🤑 @Ryanwms1

📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/cmV9DdEPg4
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 26, 2026

5:53- Right after a fourth-down stop by the defense, the Alabama offense scores on the next play. Gorgeous ball from Keelon Russell to Lotzeir Brooks for 75 yards. It's what the Tide needed after a three-and-out on its first drive. Alabama 7, South Carolina 0

HE GONE💨

📺: ESPN pic.twitter.com/ArK3pEPmO4
— Alabama Football (@AlabamaFTBL) September 26, 2026

12:42- After a 56-yard run by Matt Fuller on the first play from scrimmage, South Carolina's opening drive ends in a missed field goal that doinked off the uprights. Great bounceback by the Alabama defense to shake off the first play and get a stop in the red zone.

Alabama wins the toss and defers to the second half.

Ryan Coleman-Williams is wearing gloves again today. pic.twitter.com/Ko66FEaKQ9
— Theodore Fernandez (@TheoFernandez__) September 26, 2026

Still no sponsor patch on Alabama’s jersey for South Carolina game.

Alabama AD Greg Byrne to @SkinnyKenny_ earlier in the week on a potential patch for the Crimson Tide:

“We’re watching the market continue to evolve. We’ve had some interest. Quite frankly, I think it will be… pic.twitter.com/eXatiqFrFO
— Hunter De Siver (@HunterDeSiver) September 26, 2026

Latest Injury News from South Carolina at Alabama

(latest updates at the top)

Starting right tackle Jayin James was briefly looked at by medical personnel on the field. He was able to get up and walk off under his own power, but he walked straight to the medical tent.

Alabama senior safety and captain Bray Hubbard briefly left the game in the first quarter and went to the locker room, but he returned for the first play of the second quarter.

There were no changes for Alabama on the final availability report. Justin Hill, Desmond Umeozulu, Jorden Edmonds, Cayden Jones, Nick Sherman and Jeremiah Beaman are all ruled out.

The final availability report will come out at 4:30 p.m. CT.

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Alabama will be without two key defenders for at least this week with outside linebackers Justin Hill and Desmond Umeozulu both ruled out. Wide receiver Noah Rogers and AK Dear were not included on this week's availability report, which means it is likely they will make their season debuts today.

South Carolina at Alabama Game Information

Who: South Carolina (2-1, 0-1 SEC) at Alabama (3-0, 1-0 SEC)

When: 6 p.m. CT

Where: Saban Field Bryant-Denny Stadium, Tuscaloosa, Alabama (100,077)

Weather: The forecast is projected temperatures in the low 80s at kickoff. The sun will set at 6:41 p.m. in the first half, cooling the temperatures down even more.

Officials: Daniel Gautreuax's crew (SEC)

Game Captains: Zabien Brown, Bray Hubbard, Ryan Coleman-Williams (Alabama)
Fred Johnson, Shawn Murphy, LaNorris Sellers (South Carolina)

Series: Alabama leads 15-3, 10-1 at home

Current streak: Alabama won three

Last Meeting: Oct. 25, 2025 in Columbia, South Carolina, Alabama won 29-22

How to Watch, Listen to South Carolina at Alabama

TV: ESPN (Play-By-Play: Dave Pasch, Analyst: Dusty Dvoracek, Sideline: Taylor McGregor)

Radio: Crimson Tide Sports Network (Play-By-Play: Chris Stewart, Color: Tyler Watts, Sideline: Damion Square, Host: Roger Hoover)

SiriusXM: 230 (Alabama), 267 (South Carolina)

Betting Odds for South Carolina at Alabama

Spread: Alabama -12.5

Over/Under: 54.5 points

This is will be updated throughout the game

Source: FanDuel Sportsbook

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

Keys to the Game: South Carolina at Alabama

After last week's disappointing performance on defense giving up 36 points, Alabama defensive coordinator Kane Wommack pointed his unit to the 2015 Tide defense, which started the season in a similar way.

Can the Crimson Tide offense get off to a better? How will the Alabama defense stop Gamecocks receiver Nyck Harbor? That and more in the storylines we're watching.

How will the Alabama fans respond after being called out by offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb earlier in the week?

Depth Chart: South Carolina at Alabama

Alabama Depth Chart

Offense

Quarterback: Keelon Russell, Austin Mack, Jett Thomalla
Running Back: Daniel Hill, Trae'shawn Brown, OR, Kevin Riley, OR, EJ Crowell, OR AK Dear
WR (Z): Rico Scott, Cederian Morgan, Noah Rogers
WR (X): Ryan Coleman-Williams, Derek Meadows
WR (H): Lotzeir Brooks, Tyler Henderson
TE (Y): Kaleb Edwards, OR, Josh Ford, OR, Danny Lewis Jr.
TE (H): Marshall Pritchett, Jay Lindsey, Mack Sutters
LT: Jackson Lloyd, Tyrell Miller
LG: William Sanders, Mal Waldrep Jr., Kayden Strayhorn
C: Racin Delgatty, Casey Poe
RG: Michael Carroll, Ethan Fields
RT: Jayvin James, Nick Brooks

Defense

Bandit: Devan Thompkins, Fatutoa Henry
NT: Terrance Green, London Simmons, OR, Isaia Faga
DT: Kedrick Bingley-Jones, OR, Devan Thompkins, Edric Hill
Wolf: Yhonzae Pierre, Jah-Marien Latham
Stinger: Luke Metz, QB Reese, Abduall Sanders Jr.
Mike: Caleb Woodson, Xavier Griffin
CB: Zabien Brown, Zyan Gibson
CB: Dijon Lee Jr., Carmelo O'Neal
FS: Bray Hubbard, Zavier Mincey
SS: Keon Sabb, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr., OR, Ivan Taylor
Husky: Red Morgan, Chuck McDonald III, OR, Dre Kirkpatrick Jr.

Special Teams

Kickoff/place kicker: Lorcan Quinn, OR, Conor Talty
Holder: Alex Asparuhov
Punter: Alex Asparuhov, Adam Watford, OR, Anderson Green
Snapper: Ethan Stangle, OR, Alex Rozier
Punt Return: Ryan Coleman-Williams, OR, Dijon Lee Jr., OR, Rico Scott
Kick Return: Lotzeir Brooks, OR, Trae'shawn Brown, OR, Dijon Lee Jr.

South Carolina depth chart

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