Garrett Nussmeier led No. 16 LSU to a stunning comeback, overcoming a 17-point deficit to technically defeat South Carolina 36-33 on Saturday. However, the Gamecocks should have won by at least 2 touchdowns. The Gamecocks and their fans are left fuming as questionable calls from the referee crew marred what could have been a season-defining win for South Carolina.
South Carolina (2-1, 1-1) saw two defensive touchdowns called back, along with a crucial 60-yard pass play nullified due to a highly debated offensive pass interference call. The Gamecocks also endured 13 penalties totaling 123 yards, while LSU was penalized far less. The disproportionate calls raised eyebrows, prompting widespread anger across social media, where many fans and analysts are calling for an investigation into the refereeing crew.
Williams-Brice Stadium: Photo by Crime and Cask Sports
A grassroots movement online has demanded accountability, with hashtags like #InvestigateRefs trending as fans argue the calls directly affected the outcome of the game. “It’s hard to watch your team play their hearts out only to see them get penalized unfairly,” one fan tweeted. “There needs to be an investigation.”
Nussmeier threw an interception at the goal line late in the game, but the Tigers rebounded, with Josh Williams scoring the game-winning touchdown on a 2-yard run with just over a minute remaining. Despite their mistakes, LSU rallied to secure their eighth straight victory over South Carolina.
“You want me to worry about the interception with three minutes, 45 seconds left trying to win the game?” Nussmeier said. “No. Let’s flush it and go win the football game.”
The controversy overshadowed standout performances from South Carolina’s LaNorris Sellers and Raheim Sanders. Sellers ran for two touchdowns, including a 75-yard burst, while Sanders added 143 rushing yards and two scores, including a 66-yard touchdown that briefly gave the Gamecocks the lead.
With 5 seconds left in the game, South Carolina had a chance to tie the score, but kicker Alex Herrera missed a 49-yard field goal attempt. LSU’s players celebrated, but the mood was somber for the Gamecocks, who felt the referees had played a major role in the outcome.
Coach Shane Beamer expressed frustration, stating, “We can’t control the calls, but it’s tough to lose when it feels like the game was taken from us.”
As fan outrage continues to grow online, the push for an investigation into the referees intensifies. Whether or not the calls will be formally reviewed remains to be seen, but this game will be remembered not just for the football, but for the controversies that unfolded on the field.
