COLUMBIA, S.C. — LaNorris Sellers ran for 106 yards and threw for another 244, and South Carolina finally defeated one of the Southeastern Conference's playoff contenders, defeating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 on Saturday night.

The Gamecocks (5-3, 3-3) beat LSU and Alabama this season before losing. But this time, their freshman quarterback and senior transfer Raheim Sanders ran over the Aggies (7-2, 5-1), who allowed just 104.5 yards per game on Saturday.

Sanders, the all-SEC transfer from Arkansas, rushed for 144 yards and two touchdowns. South Carolina gained 286 yards on the ground.

Sellers threw two touchdowns and ran for another score.

The Aggies fought their way through the SEC and were the last undefeated team in the league, regaining a lead before halftime after falling behind 14-0 less than six minutes into the game.

But South Carolina's chaotic defense came through when it needed to. It stopped the Aggies twice on fourth-and-1, intercepted Marcel Reed's pass as the freshman threw off his back foot as Texas A&M gained momentum early in the fourth quarter, and then recovered Reed's fumble to snuff out their last hope close.

Reed was 18 of 28 for 206 yards and ran for 46 yards as Aggies starter Conner Weigman did not play. Texas A&M rushing leader Le'Veon Moss left the game early and did not return.

Takeaways

Texas A&M: The loss is a blow to the Aggies' SEC title hopes, but not a fatal one. They join four other teams — LSU, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas — with a conference loss. Texas A&M plays at modest Auburn and then ends the regular season with the Longhorns.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks are one of the most volatile teams in the SEC. On Saturday they showed they can beat anyone in the league and are just one win away from a bowl with lower league Wofford still on the schedule.

Impact on the survey

No. 10 Texas A&M will fall a few spots in the poll, but with losses to both teams, Iowa State and Clemson, ranked 11th, the Aggies shouldn't fall too far behind.

Next

Texas A&M: Host New Mexico State on Nov. 16.

South Carolina: Next Saturday at Vanderbilt.

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