Alabama avoids upset at South Carolina: No. 4 Crimson Tide escape disaster on Germie Bernard game-winning TD

The Crimson Tide lost three times in Kalen DeBoer's first season as a double-digit favorite against unranked competition and history could've repeated itself against the Gamecocks before Alabama refused to stay down late. Last year's squad may have folded in the situation, facing an eight-point deficit away from home, but Simpson was terrific down the stretch and the Kane Wommack's defense finally held off Sellers and South Carolina's running game strengths in the final moments.

Germie Bernard's play on the final two possessions was mesmerizing after he was quieted prior by South Carolina's Vicari Swain. Known primarily for his expertise on special teams with three punt return touchdowns this season, South Carolina's cornerback had a sack-and-strip of Simpson in the first half, a PBU near the end zone in the second quarter and another batted ball late in the third quarter on a third down situation in man coverage downfield against Bernard. 

Playing with a broken finger suffered in practice before last week's game against Oklahoma, Swain drew the assignment against Bernard and held the Crimson Tide's leading receiver this season to 54 yards on five catches, before Alabama got crafty with him late. Bernard's receiving touchdown came on a flat route late after he lined up in the backfield with 2:16 to play before Swain was blocked away from the play on the wideout's touchdown rush to win it.

Entering Week 9 at the bottom of the FBS ranks in total offense, scoring offense and a half-dozen other statistical categories, the Gamecocks played with confidence under their their first-year OC for the first time this season against nationally-ranked competition. Shula moved the pocket several times for Sellers in the first half and tried to get his quarterback in an early rhythm. South Carolina's first possession resulted in a field goal, stretching 74 yards over 15 plays and taking 7:28 off the clock. 

South Carolina converted twice on fourth down against the Crimson Tide, shook off Alabama's defensive touchdown in the first quarter with focused play the rest of the way and took one out of Steve Spurrier's old playbook in the third quarter on Nyck Harbor's 54-yard touchdown reception. During his tenure in Columbia, the Steve Spurrier used to always call a shot play after a change of possession and that's exactly what Shula dialed up following Alabama's turnover on downs in the third.

For an offense that has been big play-stricken throughout the season, Shula seemed to finally put the ball in the hands of his best player and let him make things happen while catering to his strengths.

The margin for error is extremely thin in the SEC, especially on the road against an opponent with future first-rounders at quarterback and the edge position. The Crimson Tide needed crisp execution to stay atop the SEC title race and didn't get it for 3.5 quarters, but as DeBoer stated on the field seconds after the win, his team stayed the course and came up with a pair of decisive plays in the final moments.

After an uncharacteristic muffed punt in the fourth quarter and a couple overthrows from Ty Simpson that would've resulted in explosive plays, Alabama delivered in crunch time, the first coming on Simpson's two-point toss to Cuevas and then Lawson's strip of Sellers.

Credit Alabama's defense throughout for keeping the Crimson Tide within striking distance when its offense struggled to move the ball consistently against the Gamecocks' front. Alabama's first touchdown came on a takeaway near the visiting sideline after South Carolina running back Rahsul Faison mishandled a safety valve throw from Sellers as the ball landed in the hands of DaShawn Jones. The Alabama defensive back did the rest himself, racing 18 yards to the end zone for the defensive score. It was a much-needed boost for the Crimson Tide considering their first three possessions offensively resulted in a pair of three-and-outs and a lost fumble.

FINAL: No. 4 Alabama 29, South Carolina 22

Fourth-ranked Alabama stunned South Carolina in the final seconds, leaving thousands of students just beyond hedges in the end zone during an improbable 29-22 road win over the Gamecocks. Germie Bernard's 25-yard touchdown run with 34 seconds left clinched Alabama's seventh straight win and pushed its record to 5-0 in SEC play this season, this coming on the heels of four consecutive wins over ranked competition before battling the upset-minded Gamecocks.

The Crimson Tide trailed most of the second half before tying the game with 2:16 to play Ty Simpson's two-point conversion toss to Josh Cuevas following a scoring reception from Bernard. On South Carolina's ensuring possession with the score knotted at 22, Alabama linebacker Deontae Lawson ripped the football from quarterback LaNorris Sellers' arms as he was being tackled by nose guard Tim Keenan with 1:39 to play. 

Sellers took a quarterback draw into the teeth of Alabama's defense before he was stripped at his own 38-yard line. The play was upheld after review and gave the Crimson Tide their second takeaway of the contest — and arguably biggest of the Kalen DeBoer era at Alabama.

"They're going to keep playing, as long as they keep that mindset ... we're great in critical moments," DeBoer said. "I'm proud of Deontae, I'm proud of (Tim Keenan) ... they're the heart and soul, they're captains and has been here forever. I'm proud of our coaching staff for keeping these guys in the right direction."

FINAL: No. 4 Alabama 29, South Carolina 22

The Crimson Tide scored 15 points in the final 2:16 minutes to stun the Gamecocks on the road. Germie Benard's 25-yard touchdown run in the last minute that followed a LaNorris Sellers fumble was the nail in the coffin for Alabama, which won its seventh straight game and is now 5-0 in SEC play.

Late 4Q: No. 4 Alabama 22, South Carolina 22

Ty Simpson's two-point conversion toss to Josh Cuevas with 2:16 left has knotted the score with the Gamecocks, capping a 14-play, 79-yard drive. Daniel Hill took the direct snap on Alabama's first two-point try of the season and handed the ball off to Simpson, who rolled right and found Cuevas in the end zone. Germie Bernard's 4-yard touchdown reception after lining up in the backfield on second-and-goal put the Crimson Tide in position.

4Q: South Carolina 22, No. 4 Alabama 14

Facing third-and-1 at Alabama's 10-yard line, Sellers faked a hand off and ran off tackle for a touchdown, outracing an Alabama defender to the pylon to extend South Carolina's lead to eight points with 10 minutes to play. South Carolina cashed in on an Alabama turnover following a muffed punt, the Crimson Tide's second giveaway of the contest.

End of 3Q: South Carolina 15, No. 4 Alabama 14

Gunning for its first win over a nationally-ranked opponent since beating Clemson on the road last November, the Gamecocks are one quarter away from handing Alabama its first SEC loss of the season. William Joyce's 47-yard field goal along with Nyck Harbor's 54-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter have pushed South Carolina to a one-point lead entering the final quarter. Alabama has won sixth straight games since a season-opening loss to Florida State and hasn't lost to the Gamecocks since 2010 -- when Steve Spurrier led South Carolina to a victory over the then top-ranked Crimson Tide and Nick Saban.

Late 3Q: South Carolina 15, No. 4 Alabama 14

After missing from 47 yards earlier in the contest, William Joyce has given South Carolina a 1-point lead with 1:38 to play in third quarter. Feeding off its home crowd, South Carolina went between-the-tackles often and put the balls in the hands of LaNorris Sellers to do the heavy lifting on the scoring drive. The Gamecocks' defense, through nearly three quarters, has played its best game of the season, especially up front against Alabama's offensive line. The Crimson Tide have just 205 total yards up to this point.

3Q: No. 4 Alabama 14, South Carolina 12

LaNorris Sellers found Nyck Harbor on a 54-yard touchdown strike at the 10:59 mark of the third quarter to pull the Gamecocks within two points of the Crimson Tide. A failed two-point conversion attempt followed, but South Carolina had its first touchdown of the contest, fueling a spirited crowd inside Williams-Brice Stadium. Sellers' long ball to Harbor followed a fourth-down drop from Ryan Williams inside South Carolina territory.