| Year: | 1977 |
| Team: | South Carolina Gamecocks |
| Sport: | football |
| Conference: | Independent |
| Record: | 5–7 |
| Head Coach: | Jim Carlen |
| Hc Year: | 3rd |
| Def Coach: | Richard Bell |
| Dc Year: | 3rd |
| Stadium: | Williams–Brice Stadium |
The 1977 South Carolina Gamecocks football team represented the University of South Carolina as an independent during the 1977 NCAA Division I football season. Led by third-year head coach Jim Carlen, the Gamecocks compiled a record of 5–7. The team played its home games at Williams–Brice Stadium.
South Carolina almost made a 24-point comeback against archrival No. 15 Clemson at home, but ultimately lost after Tigers wide receiver Jerry Butler made "The Catch" to retake the lead with twenty seconds left in the game.[1] [2] ESPN would later rank this as the 112th greatest college football game of all time, the only time South Carolina appeared on the list.[3] The Gamecocks finished with their first losing season since 1974.[4]