No. 8 Alabama starts fast, overwhelms South Carolina 49-18 to remain unbeaten

September 27, 2026 admin 8 Views 0 Comments

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. —

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 touchdown passes, and Red Morgan returned an interception for a score as the Crimson Tide improved to 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Southeastern Conference.

Alabama scored touchdowns on four consecutive first-half possessions, beginning with Russell’s 75-yard strike to Lotzeir Brooks. Coleman-Williams followed with touchdown catches of 32 and 42 yards, and Josh Ford added a one-handed touchdown reception.

Morgan’s 23-yard pick-6 pushed Alabama’s lead to 35-3 in the second quarter.

The Gamecocks pulled within 35-18 in the third quarter, but Alabama answered with two touchdowns in the fourth to put the game away.

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 touchdown run after Dijon Lee Jr. forced a fumble that Luke Metz recovered.

“Execution, I thought, was better tonight. Thought we did a pretty good job of playing clean football,” Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer said.

The Crimson Tide committed a few penalties, DeBoer said, but he also praised the team’s composure during moments when the game became “chippy.”

“I thought our guys do a really good job of putting the team first,” DeBoer said.

DeBoer also credited Alabama’s ability to respond after South Carolina’s third-quarter push.

“I’d like to do it a little bit earlier, but our guys, I thought, continue to stay the course, continue to play. And, you know, the way we started was promising and, the way we finished, and that’s what we take a lot of pride in,” he said.

Russell completed 21 of 27 passes and continued his steady development in Alabama’s offense.

“He’s throwing more on rhythm, more, you know, and not as late as he was earlier in the season,” DeBoer said. “Again, that’s a trust factor, but then he’s putting the ball, with great ball placement and accuracy to where guys can catch it on the run and go make plays.”

South Carolina couldn’t keep pace after Alabama’s fast start. LaNorris Sellers threw for 185 yards with a touchdown to Nyck Harbor and an interception while rushing for 72 yards. Matt Fuller added 112 rushing yards and a touchdown.

DeBoer credited the Crimson Tide’s week of preparation for the improved start.

“I thought the guys just cut it loose. Had a good week of practice, and that always carries over,” he said.

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, played cleaner football and responded after South Carolina’s third-quarter rally. Alabama has scored at least 45 points in each of its first four games heading into next week’s trip to Mississippi State.