Football Falls to LSU on Saturday Afternoon

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Josh Williams scored on a 2-yard run with 1:12 left and No. 16 LSU rallied to beat South Carolina 36-33 to open Southeastern Conference play on Saturday.

The Tigers trailed 17-0 and were still trailing in the final two minutes when Williams took a handoff on the left side and into the end zone for the winning score. LSU players jumped with joy, but it was probably as much relief after trailing most of the game.

Garrett Nussmeier threw for 285 yards and two touchdowns, Caden Durham ran for 98 yards and a pair of scores.

LSU was far from crisp. Nussmeier threw a fourth-down pick at the goal line that looked like it might end his team’s chances.

But the Tigers got a final chance with less than four minutes left. Nussmeier found Kyren Lacy for a 29-yard catch that took it to the South Carolina 4. Two plays later, Williams sped in for the touchdown.

For much of this game, it looked like South Carolina would come away with the win.

Quarterback LaNorris Sellers ran for two touchdowns including a 75-yard burst that was longest by a quarterback in South Carolina history. Rocket Sanders had a 66-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter that put the Gamecocks back on top.

South Carolina had a final chance to tie things, driving to the LSU 39 with :05 to play. Kicker Alex Herrera, however, missed his long field goal attempt.

Sellers, who ran for 88 yards and threw for 113, came out right before halftime with an injury. He returned for one three-and-out series in the third quarter before spending the rest of the game on the sidelines.

Sanders ran for 143 yards and two scores.