South Carolina scores first win over Auburn since 1933

The South Carolina Gamecocks were winners over the Auburn Tigers for the first time since 1933.

The Gamecocks’ 30-22 victory over the Tigers ended an historic drought. Auburn had won the last eight matchups between the two schools, including the 2010 SEC Championship Game. It is true that the programs have only met nine times since 1996 (including today) but it’s still quite the feat for the Gamecocks to say the very least.

South Carolina’s win came despite the fact that they were outgained in a host of categories. They had less first downs, rushing yards, YPC, passing yards, total yards and yards per play. They however won the TOP battle once again, edging Auburn by under three minutes in that regard. And the big battle that South Carolina did win was the turnover battle. They picked Bo Nix off three times as Jaycee Horn hauled in two of those interceptions, while Jaylin Dickerson came away with the other.

This was certainly not Bo Nix’s day. Despite the gaudy 272 passing yards, they came on a completion percentage of just 51.1 (24-for-47) and he was sacked three times on the afternoon. He tossed just one touchdown pass to Eli Stove, and was enigmatic often during the game. Questions will hang over him going forward, as he seemingly hasn’t progressed much after a somewhat promising freshman season in which he won SEC Freshman of the Year honors.

Collin Hill, meanwhile, played efficiently. He threw for just 144 yards, but went 15-for-24 through the air. He tossed one touchdown pass to Shi Smith, who stood out with eight receptions for 76 yards. The ground game got it going again for SC, as Kevin Harris ran for two scores and picked up 85 yards. Deshaun Fenwick stood out too, going for 68 yards on just 12 carries.

With both teams now standing at 2-2, they’ve hit crossroads in this truncated season. Auburn will head to face the Ole Miss Rebels next week, while the Gamecocks look to make it three in a row when they play the LSU Tigers in Baton Rouge.