Junior Grant Ruhlen scored three trys Saturday as the Gamecocks defeated Alabama 36-24 in Columbia.
Like last week’s win over Georgia, turnovers put South Carolina on their back foot early. Two turnovers by the USC backline led to long runs and two quick trys by the Crimson Tide, who led 12-3 early.
But the Gamecocks settled. And the backline began to hum.
Ruhlen, who replaced injured Charlie Dwyer at flyhalf, scored tries at the 18- and 33-minute marks. Wing Nick Dubois added another score shortly before halftime to stake the Gamecocks to a 24-12 lead at the break.
Alabama added a try near the 50-minute mark to cut the Gamecock lead to 24-19. But they would get no closer. Ruhlen scored a hat trick try 15-minutes later and center Mike Dostillio found the tryzone at the 74-minute mark to boost South Carolina’s lead to 36-19.
The Crimson Tide added an unconverted try at the 77-minute mark.
“Our phase play was the best of the season,” said Coach John Roberts. “We kicked well and with the exception of the early turnovers played a good game against a very physical Alabama team.”
With the win, the Gamecocks advance to play at Kentucky Saturday in the SCRC semi-finals. Clemson will host LSU, who upset Tennessee on Saturday, in the other semifinal.
The winners of these two games receive an automatic bid to the NCR play-offs and will advance to the SCRC Championship game November 9 in Hendersonville, Tennessee. The losers will face off for third place at the same location with the winner receiving an at-large bid to the NCR play-offs.
Saturday’s kick in Lexington is set for 1:30. The Gamecock reserves will play the Kentucky reserves at noon.
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