For a brief moment on Saturday, South Carolina’s excitement hit a high point, while Brian Kelly’s supporters quickly lost faith, much like a quickly emptied drink at an LSU tailgate.

Despite No. 17 LSU securing a tense 36-33 win on the road, Kelly’s position remains shaky as various issues remain within the team.

LSU’s run game was noticeably late to arrive at the game. The offensive line, which was expected to be a strong asset, struggled against South Carolina’s aggressive defensive lineup, and mistakes were constant.

The team displayed a lack of interest in fundamental play, with poor execution in short-yard situations being a particular problem.

LSU was fortunate that they didn’t have to face freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers in the second half. Sellers helped lead the Gamecocks to a 24-16 advantage at halftime but left with an ankle injury, leaving South Carolina weakened.

The Gamecocks couldn’t recover from that setback.

In addition to their mistakes, South Carolina also struggled, racking up 13 penalties, one of which in the fourth quarter nullified a potential pick-six that could have given them a two-possession lead.

LSU managed to dodge a significant setback, but their performance did not instill confidence regarding a potential playoff spot as Kelly enters his third season.

The match saw a total of 22 penalties and five turnovers, ending with South Carolina missing a chance to score on a 49-yard field goal.

Brian Kelly and LSU football face ongoing struggles

While there’s no immediate cause for alarm regarding Kelly’s job, the troublesome start to the season raises concerns. His record stands at 5-4 for September games against Bowl Subdivision teams during his tenure at LSU.

It’s notable that while Kelly’s previous teams improved over the last couple of years, they had the benefit of having Jayden Daniels, who masked many flaws. Although LSU’s current quarterback, Garrett Nussmeier, isn’t the issue, he doesn’t possess the extraordinary abilities that Daniels had.

The highly anticipated 2025 recruiting class won’t be able to make an impact this season, meaning Kelly must find ways to succeed with the current roster. Fortunately, freshman running back Caden Durham stepped up with a crucial late-game performance.

Even as the Tigers (2-1) had a better showing than South Carolina (2-1) in the second half, they still made the win a nail-biter.

They missed a fourth-down opportunity just inches from the goal line and conceded a 66-yard touchdown run to Rocket Sanders, allowing a run that should have been contained, especially since backup quarterback Robby Ashford isn’t a passing threat.

Another glaring misstep came when Nussmeier fumbled a snap that bounced off his face mask, resulting in South Carolina recovering it and turning that into a field goal.

Additionally, South Carolina blocked a punt, LSU mismanaged an extra point, and the Tigers wasted two chances deep in opponent territory.

As LSU’s mistakes mounted, South Carolina’s coach, Beamer, wore a pleased grin while Kelly looked increasingly frustrated.

Shane Beamer’s confidence meets reality in South Carolina

Beamer has always radiated bold confidence, and he didn’t hold back after South Carolina’s recent win against Kentucky, making a statement about the mounting excitement surrounding his team.

“The bandwagon is getting full,” Beamer declared this week.

Fans rallied behind the Gamecocks during a first half in which they built a strong 17-0 lead. Sellers showcased impressive speed with a 75-yard touchdown run that highlighted South Carolina’s promising start.

However, Beamer delivered a cautionary note at halftime, commenting, “We’re trying to screw this thing up,” just before heading into the locker room.

Both teams faced challenges, but South Carolina struggled without Sellers’ leadership in the second half.

Kelly visibly celebrated when Alex Herrera’s missed field goal ended the game, marking a sigh of relief for the LSU coach.

Despite a day filled with stress and worry, the Tigers managed to avoid a defeat that could have not only shattered their season but also left their fan base disillusioned.

Blake Toppmeyer is the national college football columnist for the YSL News Network.  follow him on Twitter @btoppmeyer.