Kamario Taylor engineered a second-half surge that erased a 16-0 hole and pushed Mississippi State to a 41-34 road win at Williams-Brice Stadium. Taylor finished 18-of-24 for 251 yards and four touchdown passes to spark the comeback.
The game started after a one-hour, 20-minute lightning delay and featured key momentum swings in the second half, with several takeaways and clutch kicking detailed in a full game account by CBS Sports
Key Takeaways
- Kamario Taylor threw four touchdown passes while completing 18 of 24 throws to lead the rally from a 16-0 deficit.
- Mississippi State’s defense forced two second-half interceptions inside South Carolina territory that flipped momentum.
- Fluff Bothwell rushed for a season-high 115 yards, his second straight 100-yard game to provide balance.
- Mississippi State returns home to face No. 20 Missouri while South Carolina heads to No. 10 Alabama next week.
Kamario Taylor late surge
Taylor settled in after an interception on his first throw and turned the second half into a near-flawless performance. He finished 18-of-24 for 251 yards and four touchdown passes, repeatedly pushing the ball downfield and managing the clock efficiently.
One of his scoring throws was a five-yard touchdown to Anthony Evans that gave the Bulldogs the lead, and other touchdown passes came on timely completions that kept drives alive and overturned the early deficit.
Bulldogs defense and momentum shifts
Mississippi State’s defense tightened in the second half, producing two interceptions inside South Carolina territory that resulted in a field goal and a touchdown for the Bulldogs. Those takeaways abruptly halted South Carolina rallies and created the field position MSU used to score.
Fluff Bothwell’s 115 rushing yards sustained drives after the turnovers and helped the Bulldogs convert possession advantages into points, while Mississippi State’s special teams also contributed late with a 49-yard field goal.
Game facts and context
| Category | Confirmed game facts |
|---|---|
| Quarterback performance | Kamario Taylor: 18-of-24, 251 yards, 4 TDs, 1 INT; South Carolina’s Sellers: 25-of-40, 282 yards, 2 TDs, 2 INTs |
| Rushing and balance | Fluff Bothwell rushed for a season-high 115 yards and recorded back-to-back 100-yard games, helping balance the offense. |
| Kicking and late scoring | Mississippi State’s Kyle Ferrie closed the scoring with a 49-yard field goal; South Carolina’s Malik Orsan made four field goals, including kicks from 51 and 52 yards. |
| Turnovers and swing | The Bulldogs forced two second-half interceptions inside South Carolina territory that led directly to a field goal and a touchdown and shifted momentum. |
Mississippi State SEC and CFP outlook
The win provides Mississippi State a statement road victory as it prepares to return home to face No. 20 Missouri, an early conference test for the Bulldogs. Showing the ability to rally from a 16-0 deficit with a balanced attack helps Mississippi State in roster evaluation and recruiting conversations across the region.
South Carolina travels to No. 10 Alabama and must address late-game turnovers and containing big passing plays if it hopes to rebound, while both programs will watch how these results ripple into recruiting and SEC positioning.
