Fuller Out for Season; Backs Step Up
South Carolina's Matt Fuller suffered a season-ending left ankle injury against Oklahoma, and Jabree Coleman, Christian Clark and Isaiah Augustave are expected to take on larger roles.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Football
Running back Matt Fuller left South Carolina's game against Oklahoma with a left ankle injury and did not return, and he is scheduled for surgery Sunday morning. Jabree Coleman, Christian Clark and Isaiah Augustave took on expanded roles in the backfield during the game.
Why it matters
The loss of Fuller thins South Carolina's running back depth at a point in the season when the Gamecocks are relying on several backs to carry the load. Columbia fans following the program will watch how the rotation shifts with Jawarn Howell also sidelined for now.
Coleman led the backs with 62 rushing yards on 13 carries against Oklahoma, while Augustave added 31 yards on six carries. Clark gained four yards on six carries but scored a touchdown, and all three caught two passes from LaNorris Sellers.
The players
Matt Fuller
Matt Fuller is a South Carolina running back whose season ended with a left ankle injury suffered against Oklahoma.
Jabree Coleman
Jabree Coleman is a South Carolina running back who led the backfield with 62 rushing yards against Oklahoma.
Christian Clark
Christian Clark is a South Carolina running back who scored a touchdown on his carry against Oklahoma.
Isaiah Augustave
Isaiah Augustave is a South Carolina running back who gained 31 yards on six carries against Oklahoma.
Kendal Briles
Kendal Briles is South Carolina's offensive coordinator who called the jumbo package that led to Clark's touchdown.
The details
Fuller stayed on the ground pointing to his left ankle before leaving the game. Offensive coordinator Kendal Briles called a jumbo package and chose Clark to carry for the touchdown, and the healthy backs visited Fuller in the hospital Monday evening.
Timeline
Saturday: Fuller injured against Oklahoma.
Sunday morning: Fuller scheduled for surgery.
Monday evening: Healthy running backs visit Fuller in the hospital.
Tuesday: Fuller returns to the building to watch film and attend meetings.
Saturday: Coleman expected to be the top back against Texas A&M.
Season Trajectory
Fuller's season-ending injury forces South Carolina's backfield into a committee approach, a pattern common when a starter goes down midseason in college football. How the Gamecocks distribute carries among Coleman, Clark and Augustave will shape whether the offense can keep its ground game steady through the rest of the schedule.
Fantasy managers holding Fuller will need to replace his production, and Coleman's 62-yard game makes him the most likely starter to pick up the added workload. Fans should expect the carries to be spread among Coleman, Clark and Augustave until the staff settles on a primary option.
The takeaway
A single injury can reshape an entire position group, and the next few games will show whether Coleman, Clark and Augustave can absorb Fuller's touches without losing efficiency.
What happens next
Jabree Coleman is expected to be the top back when South Carolina plays Texas A&M on Saturday.
Further reading
Follow the latest from the Football section for more on how South Carolina's backfield is shaping up around Columbia.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Times and Democrat.
