South Carolina Beats Tennessee 27–24 on Last-Second Field Goal

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COLUMBIA, South Carolina — South Carolina defeated No. 11 Tennessee 27–24 on Saturday, October 24, 2026, after a dramatic final sequence at Williams-Brice Stadium. Kicker Malik Orsan made a 48-yard field goal as time expired, giving the Gamecocks their second consecutive victory over a ranked opponent.

How South Carolina turned the game around

Tennessee led 24–17 late in the fourth quarter, but South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers produced the tying touchdown with 1:17 remaining. Sellers accounted for three touchdowns in the game, throwing one and running for two, according to the Associated Press game account.

The tie appeared to set up one more Tennessee possession with a chance to win. Instead, South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart sacked quarterback George MacIntyre and forced a fumble with 33 seconds left. Defensive tackle Tomiwa Durojaiye recovered at the Tennessee 34-yard line. The turnover flipped field position and allowed South Carolina to manage the clock for Orsan's kick.

Orsan converted from 48 yards on the last play, making the final 27–24. Fans then came onto the field to celebrate. The finish is why the matchup attracted unusual attention beyond its regional rivalry.

What the quarter-by-quarter scoring reveals

South Carolina jumped ahead 14–0 in the first quarter, but Tennessee scored 21 points in the second and carried a 21–17 advantage into halftime. Neither team scored in the third quarter. The Volunteers added a field goal in the fourth, while South Carolina scored 10 points to reverse the result.

Tennessee's official athletics report notes that running back DeSean Bishop carried 32 times for 120 yards and a touchdown. The Volunteers had enough offense to lead in the final minutes, but the late fumble and failure to finish the game outweighed that production.

What changes after the upset?

South Carolina improved to 4–3 overall and 2–3 in Southeastern Conference play. Tennessee fell to 6–2 and 3–2 in the SEC. The outcome does not alone determine either team's postseason chances, but a road loss to an unranked opponent raises the stakes for Tennessee's remaining games.

The Gamecocks can point to a useful combination of resilience and situational football: the offense found the tying score, the defense forced a turnover, and the kicking unit executed with no time left. Tennessee will be looking closely at its late-down decisions and ball security, rather than only its overall yardage totals.

Frequently asked questions

What was the final Tennessee vs South Carolina score?

South Carolina won 27–24 on October 24, 2026.

Who kicked the game-winning field goal?

Malik Orsan made a 48-yard attempt as time expired.

What set up the winning kick?

A strip-sack by Dylan Stewart and recovery by Tomiwa Durojaiye gave South Carolina possession in Tennessee territory.

Sources and verification

NewsTrendus independently summarizes the confirmed facts and explains their significance. Original game records, interviews and reporting remain credited to the sources below; no source text has been republished wholesale.

• University of Tennessee official recap and quarter scores
• Associated Press game recap via NBC Sports
• Associated Press play-by-play context via CBS Sports

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