What You Need To Know
Auburn (4-0, 2-0 SEC West) at South Carolina (3-1, 1-1 SEC East)
7:30 PM Eastern
ESPN
Pregame Commentary/Notes
Auburn is ranked No. 2 in the Associated Press poll
Kenny Irons returns to South Carolina for the first time since leaving the program a few years ago
South Carolina has lost two straight games to Auburn, including a 48-7 loss last year
Tonight's game is one of just four road games for Auburn
South Carolina will start former quarterback turned receiver turned athlete Syvelle Newton tonight after he tossed five touchdown passes to Sidney Rice last weekend. Herbstreit correctly notes that this is not a vintage Steve Spurrier offense.
Lou Holtz is showing his love for South Carolina, going to the mat for their upset chances. I enjoy Holtz's broadcast presence but the cynics will have a field day with that commentary.
ESPN is alluding to an offensive breakout by South Carolina receiver Sideny Rice or Auburn back Kenny Irons. That is because on previous Thursday night broadcasts, the following players had huge games: Boise State's Ian Johnson, West Virginia's Steve Slaton and last week, Georgia Tech's Calvin Johnson.
Please Click 'Continue' Below to Continue Reading This LIVE Blog First South Carolina Possession
The kickoff is a touchback. Herbie says that's typical with the Auburn kicker.
Mike Davis is stuffed on a delayed handoff for a three yard loss.
South Carolina is starting two frosh on its offensive line and Syvelle Newton at quarterback tonight.
Syvelle Newton designed run, little there. Third and seven for South Carolina. He follows that up with a delay of game, so its third and twelve now.
Nothing going as he's tackled after a one yard run by Marquies Gunn thanks to good coverage.
First Auburn Possession
It's the return of South Carolina punter Succup!
The Tigers will start from their own 31.
Incompletion, throwaway pass on first down.
First down on a simple outside pitch to Irons for 14 yards. He didn't even realize how much running room he had.
Play action on first down, tight end Gabe McKenzie cruises along the sideline goes for a long gain to the South Carolina 30, first down.
Irons shows better vision this time, slicing through a big lane on the right side of the Auburn offensive line. Commentators love the line play for Auburn against a loaded defensive front. Second and two now.
Plenty more room for Irons again off the left side, getting to the South Carolina nine yard line.
Another pitch left for Irons and nothing going this time to the short side of the field.
Irons gets a quick carry inside for a handful of yards, tackled by none other than South Carolina's Jasper Brinkley. Third and goal now.
Oh so close, Brandon Cox passes for former walkon, sophomore Rod Smith who is stopped at about the one yard line after breaking some tackles. Auburn's going for it on fourth down...
Close call here, and officials signal a verrrry late touchdown for Irons on the short leap.
The officials will review this but it looks like Irons scored. South Carolina's Brinkley once again made a nice near-stop here. That guy's always making plays.
Auburn moved the ball 68 yards in 9 plays, 37 of those yards on the ground (6.2 YPC) on a drive that consume 4:08.
Auburn 7, South Carolina 0 with 8:07 left in the first quarter.
Second South Carolina Possession
Herbstreit is calling this game an opportunity for Auburn to show off for viewers thinking about the "who's No. 1, who's No. 2, who's No. 3" debate.
Kenny McKinley makes a six yard catch on first down.
Nice first down run for about five yards for Mike Davis on a pitch right for the first down.
Davis sneaks through the South Carolina left side for another six yards. Auburn gets flagged for offsides, first down for South Carolina.
David Irons and Sidney Rice are mixing it up already away from the ball. Herbstreit says he's a first rounder? Ehhh, what about that knee injury?
First down, ten yard run left side for Mike Davis. Big holes to run through here for the Gamecock back. Lots of good runs going on right now.
Incomplete fade pass out of bounds to Sidney Rice on first down. Newton nearly threw an interception downfield on second down, throwing into double coverage. First down, thirteen-yard pass to Kenny McKinley across the middle. Newton's dancing around the pocket a little, kind of funny to watch the happy feet.
Designed run for Newton on first down, two yards. Another designed run here, this time he weaves through traffic for nine yards and a first down. The announcers call this South Carolina offense "un-Spurrier like"
First down fade pass to Sidney Rice, pass wasn't even close but there's a flag on the field. Officials signal defensive holding on Auburn corner David Irons against Sidney Rice. Automatic first down.
South Carolina first down now, inside the Auburn 20. Yet another fade, this time to Sidney Rice who appears to have caught the touchdown---but wait, Auburn linebacker Will Herring gets credited with the interception! Wow. Great play by Herring, he just embarrassed Sidney Rice. Live by the fade, die by the fade sometimes folks.
Second Auburn Possession
Short gain for Irons on first down, running up the middle. Bad play by Cox on second down, had time to throw, finally scrambled and overthrew a receiver sitting in the flats. Third and eight for Auburn... Cox is sacked this time (coverage sack). Punt time on fourth and thirteen, Auburn punting from its own 17 yard line. A false start flag moves Auburn five more yards back.
Third South Carolina Possession
Auburn punts to the South Carolina 43, returned for a few yards before a flag flies. This one's going against South Carolina, block in the back, a really stupid penalty here. 1:53 left in the first quarter now, TV timeout.
South Carolina first down from their own 45. Fake handoff, but Auburn pursues well and gets Newton on the run before he falls for a big loss. On second and 19, Sidney Rice makes a long catch for the conversion but Newton comes up limping.
Interesting stat: Auburn DC Will Muschamp is 0-6 against Steve Spurrier as a player and coach.
First down for South Carolina from the Auburn 44. Newton tucks the ball and runs for a huge gain to the Auburn 30 after the Auburn defense came out looking greatly confused. First down again.
Cory Boyd takes the draw for another first down, this time gaining fifteen yards inside the Auburn 20! He's fired up.
End of the first quarter, ESPN cuts to the ladies from Chi Omega doing an ESPN "College Football Lives Here" promo.
Please check back with our Second Quarter LIVE Blog.
