South Carolina makes Bo Nix look like a J.V. QB in Gamecocks first SEC win vs. Auburn
For the first time since joining the SEC, South Carolina has beaten Auburn.
South Carolina joined the SEC in 1992 and it took until 2020 for the Gamecocks to beat the Auburn Tigers. Granted, they don’t play every year, but this was a big win for Will Muschamp‘s team over the Tigers as his teams improved to 3-15 against ranked teams in his tenure.
The Gamecocks have one of the toughest schedules in the nation and the Auburn game was pegged as a loss by most, but no one bothered telling the South Carolina football players and coaches.
Auburn quarterback Bo Nix looked overmatched vs. South Carolina
South Carolina’s defense made Auburn quarterback look like a junior varsity quarterback with a trio of bad interceptions and several questionable decisions and throws. Nix was picked off twice by Jaycee Horn, the son of former New Orleans Saints receiver, Joe Horn, with the third interception going to Jaylin Dickerson.
Nix had a chance trailing 30-22 in the closing minutes to mount a comeback but was stopped on fourth down as time expired with the Tigers at the South Carolina 12-yard line.
Defense was the story for the Gamecocks but credit the rushing attack led by Kevin Harris who had 83 yards and two touchdowns and Deshaun Fenwick who had an additional 63 yards on the ground.
Not to be outdone was South Carolina receiver Shi Smith who had a touchdown catch from Collin Hill that spoke volumes. This incredible highlight-reel catch gave South Carolina a 20-19 lead in the third quarter that they would not relinquish.
https://twitter.com/ESPNCFB/status/1317533867042086919
Auburn was outscored 16-6 in the second half in the loss as Gus Malzahn’s team has been largely outplayed in3.5 of four games this year. If not for a lucky break when the referees missed a fumble by Nix last week in the one-point win vs. Arkansas otherwise Auburn would be looking at a three-game losing streak.
The hot seat will heat up a few notches under Malzahn’s seat after this loss while it’ll cool under Muschamp’s after this big win. Both coaches seemingly are on the hot seat every week.
For Auburn, they’ll get Ole Miss, LSU, Mississippi State and Tennessee over the next four games before traveling to Alabama as they look to regroup.
South Carolina travels to LSU next week.
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