South-Carolina
The post-big game letdown is a South Carolina football myth
While some fans wearing garnet and black are confident after two blowout SEC wins in a row (a 35-9 annihilation of Oklahoma in Norman and a 44-20 home demolition of the then-No. 10 Texas A&M Aggies), grumblings about “the Gamecock letdown” have been commonplace amongst the South Carolina football fanbase this week.
That shouldn’t be the case.
Since Steve Spurrier became the head coach in Columbia in 2005, South Carolina football fans have witnessed their favorite team knock off a ranked opponent 26 times. For some reason, there is a narrative that exists among fans that the Gamecocks immediately follow big wins with ugly losses. To be frank, that’s not true.
In fact, in 20 football seasons since ’05, only five times has South Carolina followed up a ranked win with a loss the next week. Two came during the Will Muschamp era. Three happened under Spurrier’s leadership (the last occurring in 2012). It has never happened with Shane Beamer at the helm. Yet, the narrative persists.
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Perhaps it is because two very famous “letdowns” happened during that time.
The 2010 victory over No. 1 Alabama came just one week before a loss on the road to unranked Kentucky. However, that loss came only after a Marcus Lattimore injury caused an offensive collapse. The Gamecocks still won the SEC East that season.
Two years later in 2012, an undefeated South Carolina squad traveled to Baton Rouge to face the 9th-ranked LSU Tigers at night in Death Valley. Considering the fact that LSU is 110-15 in night home games since 2000, that loss can be forgiven, too.
Even with those prominent “letdowns” (a loose use of the term), fans shouldn’t believe that a loss is inevitable on Saturday. If the Gamecocks lose, it’s because they’re playing a good Vanderbilt team on the road.
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However, South Carolina football fans shouldn’t expect a loss. Instead, they should prepare to see a good performance from Shane Beamer’s team as they lock horns with the 24th-ranked Commodores.
Back in 2022, the Gamecocks backed up their win over No. 13 Kentucky with another big win over Texas A&M in the next game. Later that year, more famously, South Carolina beat 5th-ranked Tennessee and 7th-ranked Clemson in back-to-back contests.
Beamer’s November record with the Gamecocks also is 9-4, including a 3-0 record against ranked opponents. Carolina has allowed over 30 points just twice in those games. In contrast, the Gamecock offense has scored over 30 points seven times in those contests. Six of the nine victories have come with double-digit point margins. The ‘Cocks also are 7-2 (including winning four in a row) in November SEC games since 2021.
As a whole, USC has won 15 games in a row against the ‘Dores. In three Beamer-led games against Vandy, the Gamecocks have outscored the black and gold 106-53.
So, chill out, South Carolina fans. Saturday will be a tough test, but the test is one that your favorite team is prepared to take.
Carolina will look to continue proving the myth wrong Saturday afternoon as the Gamecocks and Commodores kick at 4:15 p.m. The game will be on SEC Network and streamed on the ESPN app.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Jan. 3, 2026
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.
South-Carolina
South Carolina Lottery Pick 3, Pick 4 results for Dec. 28, 2025
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.
South-Carolina
SLED investigates shooting involving SCDNR officer
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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