With the addition of Texas an Oklahoma to the SEC snd elimination of divisions in the Southeastern conference, South Carolina forever gets the distinct honor of being the last SEC East team to beat Alabama in the regular season.
In front of a packed house at Williams-Brice Stadium, the Gamecocks upset Alabama in 2010. The Crimson Tide made the trip back to Columbia in 2019, but South Carolina hasn’t played inside Bryant-Denny Stadium since 2009. That changes this season when Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks roll into Tuscaloosa for Game 6.
Beamer took South Carolina to bowl games in each of his first two seasons as head coach before a disappointing 5-7 finish last season. The Gamecocks got off to a 2-6 start before rallying down the final stretch of the season. Beamer isn’t necessarily on the hot seat heading into 2024, but he can’t afford to get off to another poor start with a challenging SEC slate ahead.
South Carolina’s offense was pass-reliant in 2023 with Spencer Rattler at quarterback and first-rounder Xavier Legette at receiver. Both players are gone now, so offensive coordinator Dowell Loggains will be working with a new QB in his second year with the Gamecocks.
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Beamer named redshirt freshman LaNorris Sellers the starter after spring football. Sellers appeared on three games for South Carolina last season with just four total pass attempts, but two touchdowns against Furman.
Not only did the Gamecocks not have an individual 1000-yard rusher last season, but the offense barely crossed 1,000 yards total rushing as a team. Leading rusher Mario Anderson transferred to Memphis, but Beamer added two running backs out of the portal in North Texas’ Oscar Adaway III and Arkansas’ Raheim Sanders. The former Arkansas back missed time with injury last season, but 1443 yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022.
Returner Nyck Harbor (12 catches for 195 yards) and transfers Ahmari Huggins-Bruce (Louisville) and Jared Brown (Coastal Carolina) will look to pick up the production gap left behind by Legette. With a lot of new faces to work into the offense at the skill positions, South Carolina does bring back a lot of experience along the offensive line. All five starters up front have at least one start under their belt with the Gamecocks. The O-line will need to show improvement after allowing 41 sacks a season ago.
Defensive coordinator Clayton White has been with Beamer all three seasons in Columbia so far, but has never had a defense finish higher than 41st in the country. They have really struggled the past two seasons finishing 89th in 2022 and 90th in 2023, allowing nearly 400 yards per game last season.
South Carolina obviously needs to improve on those numbers if it wants to have more success in 2024. The defense is headlined by all-SEC linebacker Debo Williams, who led the Gamecocks with 113 tackles a year ago.
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The Gamecocks have three talented returners leading in the secondary with sophomore Jalon Kilgore, who earned freshman all-American honors with 76 tackles and an interception last season in 10 starts, junior Nick Emmanwori and redshirt senior O’Donnell Fortune.
Junior defensive tackle T.J. Sanders led South Carolina with 4.5 sacks last season and looks to build on that breakout season in his redshirt junior campaign alongside redshirt senior Tonka Hemingway.
South Carolina faces Alabama in the middle of a brutal three-game stretch for the Gamecocks against three straight projected top-25 teams starting with Ole Miss at home followed by road games at Alabama and Oklahoma.
For Alabama, the schedule will be a little lighter at this point with a matchup at Vanderbilt the week before. However, the Crimson Tide does have a big road game at Tennessee after facing South Carolina, so Alabama could get caught looking ahead. Both the Crimson Tide and Gamecocks will have already had one of their two bye weeks for the season ahead of this matchup in September.
Alabama will likely by double-digit home favorites over South Carolina for this mid-October matchup. Both teams should be settled into the season by this point, but the Gamecocks have a lot more questions surrounding their team than the Crimson Tide. Jalen Milroe will be returning as starting quarterback for Alabama, and South Carolina will either be breaking in a redshirt freshman or transfer at the position.
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Beamer has done a good job trying to turn around the South Carolina program over the last three years, but Alabama still has a much deeper and more talented roster.
South Carolina only has one win in Tuscaloosa all time (2004), and I don’t see that changing this season.
Date: Oct. 12
Time: 11 a.m. CT
TV: TBD
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Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium
Series history: Alabama leads, 11-4
Last meeting: Alabama beat South Carolina 47-23 in Columbia in 2019. Tua Tagovailoa threw for 444 yards and five touchdowns.
Coach: Shane Beamer, fourth season, 20-18 record
Offensive coordinator: Dowell Loggains
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Defensive coordinator: Clayton White
2023 record: 5-7 (3-5 SEC)
2023 rankings: Total offense (83rd), Total defense (90th)
Returning Starters
11 (four on offense, seven on defense)
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Players to Watch
RB Raheim Sanders, WR Nyck Harbor, LB Debo Williams, DT Tonka Hemingway, DB Nick Emmanwori, DB Jalon Kilgore
Top Newcomer:
Arkansas transfer running back Raheim Sanders will bring a new dynamic to the South Carolina offense if he can stay healthy. His career with the Razorbacks was hampered by injuries, but he has 2,230 yards and 17 rushing touchdowns in his career.
Biggest Question
Will Sellers be able to settle into the starting quarterback job, or will Beamer have to turn to Auburn transfer Robbie Ashford or Pitt transfer Davis Beville?
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Location: Columbia, South Carolina
Founded: 1801
Enrollment: 53,455
Nickname: Gamecocks
Colors: Garnet, black and white
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Mascot: Sir Big Spur
Last time beat Alabama: 2010
Last time won SEC: Never
Last time won SEC East: 2010
National championships: None
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Playoff Appearances: None
Conference championships: 1 (1969 in ACC)
Bowl record: 10-15
Last season missed bowl: 2023
Heisman trophies: 1 (George Rogers- 1980)
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2024 NFL Draft:
Last four recruiting class rankings: No. 22 (2024), No. 16 (2023), No. 24 (2022), No. 80 (2021)
Aug. 31: Old Dominion Sept. 7: at Kentucky Sept. 14: LSU Sept. 21: Akron Oct. 5: Ole Miss Oct. 12: at Alabama Oct. 19: at Oklahoma Nov. 2: Texas A&M Nov. 9: at Vanderbilt Nov. 16: Missouri Nov. 23: Wofford Nov. 30: at Clemson
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.
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Here’s a look at July 13, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from July 13 drawing
05-25-36-40-48, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 8-0-4, FB: 9
Evening: 0-2-7, FB: 2
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Check Pick 3 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 0-2-1-7, FB: 9
Evening: 3-4-7-9, FB: 2
Check Pick 4 Plus FIREBALL payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from July 13 drawing
Midday: 06
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Evening: 15
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Palmetto Cash 5 numbers from July 13 drawing
01-14-27-37-39
Check Palmetto Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from July 13 drawing
01-17-31-39-43, Powerball: 22
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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.
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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
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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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Sen. Lindsey Graham’s death triggered a scramble to replace him and prompted the question of what happens next.
On Monday, Gov. Henry McMaster will hold a Statehouse press conference at 4 p.m. to reflect on the life and service of the late senator and announce an appointment to fill the vacancy created by his sudden passing.
Click the player above to watch live.
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The influential South Carolina politician’s death impacts November’s crucial midterm elections and leaves a vacuum in nearly every aspect of the Senate agenda.
Copyright 2026 by WJXT News4JAX – All rights reserved.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) died Saturday following what his office said was a brief and sudden illness.
“Senator Lindsey Graham passed away from a brief and sudden illness,” an early Sunday morning statement said. “Senator Graham’s family appreciates prayers at this time and asks for privacy during this incredibly difficult period.”
Graham’s death on July 11 triggers two separate legal processes: one to fill his current seat in the U.S. Senate and another to replace him as the Republican nominee in South Carolina’s upcoming Senate election.
Graham won his party’s nomination in June and was expected to face Democrat Dr. Annie Andrews in the November general election.
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Under the 17th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, states may authorize their governors to make temporary appointments when a U.S. Senate vacancy occurs. South Carolina is among the states that allow the governor to appoint an interim senator until a successor is elected.
That means Gov. Henry McMaster would appoint someone to fill Graham’s seat and represent South Carolina in the Senate on a temporary basis. The appointee would serve until a successor is elected and qualified under the procedures established by state law.
A separate process would determine who becomes the Republican nominee for the November election.
Because Graham secured the GOP nomination through a primary election, South Carolina law requires the vacancy to be filled through a special primary election. Section 7-11-55 of the South Carolina Code of Laws states that when a party nominee selected through a primary dies, becomes disqualified, or resigns for a qualifying reason, a special primary must be held to select a replacement nominee.
Under the law, candidate filing opens on the second Tuesday after the vacancy occurs and remains open for one week. The special primary is then held on the second Tuesday after the filing period closes. If no candidate receives a majority of the vote, a runoff election is held two weeks later.
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The law also requires the replacement nominee to be certified at least two weeks before the general election for that candidate to appear on the November ballot. If certification occurs less than two weeks before the election, the office would instead be filled through a special election held after the general election.
The U.S. Senate does not choose Graham’s replacement. According to the Senate’s historical office, the process for filling vacancies is governed by the Constitution and state law, while the Senate’s role is to seat the person selected through those procedures.
