South-Carolina
South Carolina football's 2024 assault on the record books
The 2024 season isn’t over yet. However, South Carolina football’s 9-3 regular season has been a wild (and mostly enjoyable) ride that Gamecock fans will remember forever. Along the way, thanks to big-time statistical performances and a return to winning ways, USC has had to rewrite some of its history. There is one game remaining, so some of these records or near-records could shift by the end of the year.
Let’s take a look at the 2024 Gamecocks’ assault on the record books.
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Team
South Carolina has won nine games in 2024 with one more opportunity left to play (the Gamecocks will take on the Illinois Fighting Illini in the Citrus Bowl on New Year’s Eve). In the history of the program, that’s only happened seven other times.
If Carolina were to beat Illinois, that would move this year’s win total to 10. That would mark just the fifth time in history a Gamecock team reached double-digit victories.
Shane Beamer’s team also posted six wins by at least 21 points this season. That is the second most in South Carolina football history and the most since 1987.
Both defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway and punter Kai Kroeger have played in 60 career games. That ties former kicker Parker White for the most games played in team history.
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Offense
The Gamecock offense wasn’t elite in 2024. However, as the entire team turned the corner after a 3-3 start, so did the offense. Much of that started with quarterback LaNorris Sellers.
Sellers had a November to remember. The redshirt freshman broke the South Carolina record (previously held by Jake Bentley) for touchdowns in a single month, totaling 16 scores in the calendar’s 11th month. He also was one shy of tying Steve Taneyhill’s mark of 14 passing touchdowns in a single month.
Sellers also was the only FBS quarterback to pass and rush for 150 yards in a single game this season. He did so when it mattered most, too, beating the rival Clemson Tigers with his dominant performance.
In that same Clemson game, Sellers broke 18 tackles. That’s the most broken tackles ever by a quarterback in the PFF statistical tracking era. It also was the second most (regardless of position) of any player this season.
No. 16’s five touchdown passes against Missouri matched a number only accomplished eight other times in USC history. Only Spencer Rattler (six against Tennessee in 2022) has thrown for more scores in one game.
Sellers’ 398 yards of offense against Missouri also is the eight-highest total ever produced in garnet and black.
Barring disaster, LaNorris Sellers will break Todd Ellis’ single-season freshman record for total yards. He is 46 yards shy of Ellis with 2929 yards passing and rushing combined. He is three passing touchdowns short of Ellis’ freshman record (20), and he already owns the total quarterback touchdown marks among freshmen (24).
Tight end Josh Simon quietly matched a South Carolina tight end record, as well. With six touchdown receptions, he matched Clyde Bennett’s mark set back in the 1950s. No other tight ends have caught six TD passes in a Gamecock uniform.
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Defense
South Carolina senior EDGE Kyle Kennard (who just won the Nagurski Trophy as the top defensive player in college football) pushed his way onto some all-time lists this season.
Kennard finished the regular season with 11.5 sacks. Only Jadeveon Clowney’s 13 quarterback stops in 2012 are better in Gamecock history. Kennard is now one of just four players to reach double-digit sacks in Columbia, joining Clowney, Melvin Ingram, and Andrew Provence. It’s worth mentioning that Kennard had a sack wiped out of the box score thanks to an accepted holding penalty, too.
Dylan Stewart has 6.5 sacks on the year. That is 1.5 shy of Jadeveon Clowney’s freshman record of eight. Stewart could reach or pass Clowney depending on how the bowl game goes.
As a team, South Carolina is three sacks away from tying 2012’s all-time mark of 40.
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Special Teams
Kai Kroeger is averaging 47.6 yards per punt this season. Joseph Charlton averaged 47.7 yards in 2019. With a good bowl game, Kroeger will become the single-season Gamecock record holder for punt average. Kroeger is almost locked into place as the second most prolific career punter (in terms of average distance) behind Charlton.
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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