A pivotal interception by South Carolina’s Nick Emmanwori was nullified due to a personal foul on Kyle Kennard, significantly impacting the Gamecocks’ 36-33 loss to LSU.
Last season, On3 reached out to college football fans on X (formerly Twitter) to highlight the most egregious officiating mistakes of the season. This effort attracted nearly 300,000 views and generated over 250 comments, resulting in a compilation of the top 10 worst calls. The list focuses on decisions that significantly influenced game outcomes rather than missed calls, with the South Carolina vs. LSU game ranking nearly at the top, coming in at #2.
In mid-September 2024, during a tightly contested matchup between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the LSU Tigers, a crucial moment unfolded with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter. LSU’s quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, threw a pass that was intercepted by South Carolina defensive back Nick Emmanwori, who returned it for a 100-yard touchdown.
Unfortunately, the celebration was brief. Officials penalized South Carolina EDGE rusher Kyle Kennard for unnecessary roughness, citing a shove against Nussmeier during the return. This personal foul wiped out the touchdown, and while the interception still counted, the Gamecocks’ offense was forced to begin their drive deep in their own territory at the 10-yard line.
Unfortunately, this is just one of many frustrating and questionable calls made during the game. In a crucial drive, South Carolina quarterback Robby Ashford completed a deep pass to Dalevon Campbell. However, the play was overturned due to an offensive pass interference penalty on receiver Mazeo Bennett, who appeared to be unintentionally contacted by an LSU defender well away from the play.
This contentious decision wiped out a substantial gain, pushing the Gamecocks out of field goal range. As a result, South Carolina’s drive faltered, ending in a fumble just a few plays later. Commentators Chris Fowler and Kirk Herbstreit voiced their disbelief over the penalty.
The Gamecocks’ momentum was significantly affected by 13 penalties that amounted to 123 yards, which played a key role in their tight 36-33 loss. Head coach Shane Beamer voiced his disappointment after the game, recognizing that these self-inflicted errors are harmful, particularly in tightly contested matchups.
This defeat not only affected South Carolina’s overall season record but also had wider ramifications for their postseason hopes, underscoring how crucial moments and officiating calls can deeply impact the direction of a team’s season.
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