GAMELINE
KEY PLAYER
Quarterback Cam Newton did a little bit of everything for Auburn. He ran 25 times for 176 yards and three touchdowns and completed 16 of 21 passes for 158 yards and two more scores. It’s the second time this year he’s accounted for five touchdowns in a game.
KEY MOMENT
Auburn missed a 23-yard field goal after a false start penalty negated a touchdown plunge by Newton. But South Carolina quarterback Stephen Garcia coughed up the ball at the end of a run, giving the Tigers possession at the Gamecocks’ 26. They’d capitalize this time, getting a 6-yard touchdown pass from Newton to tight end Philip Lutzenkirchen to take a lead.
KEY DECISION
The Tigers finally mixed in some more zone coverage and it paid off with two interceptions in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Josh Bynes picked off a Connor Shaw pass over the middle on underneath coverage. Cornerback Demond Washington sealed the win by snagging a tipped ball in the end zone with less than a minute left after three Auburn defenders blanketed wide receiver Alshon Jeffery.
QUOTE OF THE GAME
“Our guys responded. It’s not always pretty. But these guys are fighting, clawing, scratching, trying to find a way to win every week.” — Auburn coach Gene Chizik
BY THE NUMBERS
179
Rushing yards South Carolina had allowed in its first three games, the lowest total in the SEC and sixth lowest in the country.
334
Rushing yards by Auburn on Saturday night.
1
Interceptions by Tigers defensive backs this year.
6
Straight SEC road games South Carolina has lost, dating back to 2008.
17, 13
First-half deficits Auburn has overcome in consecutive wins against Clemson and South Carolina.
— Andy Bitter
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