Alabama beats South Carolina 49-18, stays unbeaten
12 sourcesUpdated Sep 27, 2026
Alabama beat South Carolina 49-18 and stayed unbeaten at 4-0, 2-0 in the SEC. The No. 8 Crimson Tide built a 35-7 halftime lead after a fast start, answering South Carolina’s opening-play breakaway run. Sophomore quarterback Keelon Russell completed 21 of 27 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown on eight carries for 35 yards. Ryan Coleman-Williams caught two first-half touchdowns and finished with 98 yards receiving. Alabama’s defense forced two turnovers and scored off both for 14 points. The Tide became the first FBS program since 2019 to score 45-plus points in each of its first four games. CONTESTED: none found. IN THEIR WORDS: DeBoer said “Good, complementary football tonight,” added that Alabama “took the turnover margin and won that two-zero, scored off of both takeaways there. Got 14 points,” and said Russell “knows the offense” and feels “really comfortable with each week.” Russell said “I got to get better,” that the win “feels real amazing” after two tight prior meetings with South Carolina, and that the team “sent the message today.” DeBoer also noted a Josh Ford touchdown catch and a Marshall Pritchett catch. Alabama visits Mississippi State next Saturday at 11 a.m. CT.
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Center· 3 sources
“ANNOUNCEMENT MADE: Keelon Russell and Alabama are a FACTOR in the SEC and CFP Talk!”Right· 0 sources
No right coverage yet — a bubble gap.
DeBoer has a point that teams can succeed without a flawless game, and this result proved it.
The defense came through with timely stops and takeaways, which made the difference in a lopsided win.
Russell's five total touchdowns and 365 passing yards show why Alabama stays undefeated this year.
