Fans outraged after controversial officiating call in Palmetto Bowl

Late in the third quarter, Gamecock quarterback LaNorris Sellers fired a pass towards the end zone that was ruled an interception by Clemson safety Ricardo Jones. On the field, it looked close. But on the replay? It definitely was not. The SEC Network broadcast angle clearly showed the ball hitting the ground before Jones secured it, an unmistakable incomplete pass by any standard. Yet the officiating crew actually upheld the interception after review, wiping away a potential scoring opportunity that would have cut Clemson’s lead to a single possession. That moment ignited the stadium and fans across social media platforms.

South Carolina fans unleashed a wave of boos, and those watching from home took their complaints straight to social media. CBS Sports’ Brad Crawford didn’t mince words: “There’s been bad calls in the South Carolina–Clemson rivalry, but that’s one of the worst I’ve seen.”

Others echoed the same frustration:

The controversial decision instantly became the flashpoint of the game, a rivalry that was already defined by tension, momentum swings, and high stakes.

Ultimately, all eyes will shift to Shane Beamer. He has never been shy about defending his players, and this situation demands that same fire. Whether he chooses pointed honesty or measured diplomacy, it needs to be addressed. South Carolina needs its head coach to put this officiating under a microscope and force the conversation that the league clearly doesn't want to have. The fanbase expects, and deserves, accountability. If anyone can push the league to own a mistake, it's the head coach of the Gamecocks.