South-Carolina
1st-place South Carolina looks to validate start against No. 16 LSU – The Sumter Item
By PETE IACOBELLI
Associated Press
COLUMBIA – South Carolina is off to a fast start fueled by first-time starters in quarterback LaNorris Sellers and edge rusher Dylan Stewart. LSU coach Brian Kelly has noticed and knows his 16th-ranked Tigers have, too.
The Tigers (1-1) open Southeastern Conference play Saturday against first-place South Carolina (2-0, 1-0), whose 31-6 win at Kentucky last week is the only SEC game played so far. Kelly was impressed early by Sellers and Stewart.
Kelly sees a physical player in Sellers – he compared him to ex-Florida quarterback and first-round NFL draft pick Anthony Richardson – who uses his 6-foot-3 frame to make plays through the air and on the ground.
“He has a cannon for an arm and can throw it 65 or 70 yards,” Kelly said. “He just reminds you of that physical presence, but he is a new starter.”
Stewart is a 6-6, 248-pound true freshman who has gained a starting spot with his speed and ability to get into the backfield. He has 2.5 sacks and forced a pair of fumbles his first two games.
“Stewart is a pure pass rusher. That doesn’t mean he can’t defend the run,” Kelly said. “He is a guy who they want in there to get after the quarterback.”
Kelly has some significant counters to the Gamecocks’ young talent.
Garrett Nussmeier, LSU’s quarterback, has had 300-plus yards in each of the first two games and leads the SEC with eight touchdown passes. The Tigers offensive line features experienced tackles in Will Campbell and Emory Jones Jr., who are both considered high NFL draft prospects next spring.
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said LSU’s offensive line will present a big challenge.
“There’s a reason why they’re going to be high draft picks,” Beamer said. “But like I told our players, that’s life in the SEC.”
GUILLORY OUT FOR SEASON
LSU defensive line lost tackle Jacobian Guillory to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in last week’s win over Nicholls State. Junior college transfer Shone Washington got the bulk of the work after Guillory went down, but Kelly said he may go with other options including adding a faster, end-type to the line to spark the pass rush.
LSU RUNNING BACKS
The Tigers have had to scramble after expected tailback starter John Emery Jr. sustained a season-ending injury at practice. Safety Ju’Juan Johnson was moved to running back to add some depth. Through two games, LSU has run for 181 yards and has no rushing TDs.
GETTING HIS KICKS
South Carolina punter Kai Kroeger can’t wait for the weekend, not only because of the chance to play LSU but because former NFL punter and ESPN personality Pat McAfee will be on hand. “I’d love to meet him, if he’s around,” said Kroeger, who was named the SEC special teams player of the week for his effort in a 31-6 victory at Kentucky last week.
LONG TIME BETWEEN VISITS
LSU and South Carolina have played three times since 2008, all in Baton Rouge. The teams were scheduled to play in South Carolina in 2015, but that game was moved to LSU because of severe flooding from a storm.
REMEMBERING 2008
The LSU-South Carolina game here 16 years ago included an unusual sidelight as official Wilbur Hackett Jr. appeared to step into Gamecocks quarterback Stephen Garcia for a tackle not far from the end zone. The Gamecocks scored three plays later before faltering in a 24-17 defeat. South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier and the SEC said Hackett, a former linebacker at Kentucky, was in proper position and did nothing improper. LSU coach Les Miles, with a smile on his face, took a different tack. Miles joked that Hackett needed some coaching. “He didn’t wrap up,” he said.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Jan. 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
18-21-40-53-60, Powerball: 23, Power Play: 3
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 1-8-9, FB: 9
Evening: 0-5-1, FB: 0
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 2-5-1-7, FB: 9
Evening: 3-9-5-0, FB: 0
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
Midday: 12
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
02-06-23-25-33
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from Jan. 3 drawing
28-40-52-53-54, Powerball: 12
Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win
Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.
Just the FAQs, USA TODAY
The South Carolina Education Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 28, 2025, results for each game:
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 8-4-9, FB: 2
Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 5-6-2-0, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
Evening: 07
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 28 drawing
03-10-14-21-34
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
The South Carolina Education Lottery provides multiple ways to claim prizes, depending on the amount won:
For prizes up to $500, you can redeem your winnings directly at any authorized South Carolina Education Lottery retailer. Simply present your signed winning ticket at the retailer for an immediate payout.
Winnings $501 to $100,000, may be redeemed by mailing your signed winning ticket along with a completed claim form and a copy of a government-issued photo ID to the South Carolina Education Lottery Claims Center. For security, keep copies of your documents and use registered mail to ensure the safe arrival of your ticket.
SC Education Lottery
P.O. Box 11039
Columbia, SC 29211-1039
For large winnings above $100,000, claims must be made in person at the South Carolina Education Lottery Headquarters in Columbia. To claim, bring your signed winning ticket, a completed claim form, a government-issued photo ID, and your Social Security card for identity verification. Winners of large prizes may also set up an Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) for convenient direct deposit of winnings.
Columbia Claims Center
1303 Assembly Street
Columbia, SC 29201
Claim Deadline: All prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the draw date for draw games.
For more details and to access the claim form, visit the South Carolina Lottery claim page.
When are the South Carolina Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Pick 4: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash Pop: Daily at 12:59 p.m. (Midday) and 6:59 p.m. (Evening).
- Palmetto Cash 5: 6:59 p.m. ET daily.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a South Carolina editor. You can send feedback using this form.
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, S.C. (WPDE) — A South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) officer was involved in a shooting early Sunday morning in Edgefield County.
SCDNR said their officer was shot at repeatedly but sustained no injuries.
Preliminary reports indicate a possible silver or light blue four-door sedan was the subject vehicle involved in the shooting, according to SCDNR.
South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) is investigating.
Anyone with information in this incident is asked to call (866)472-8477.
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