AUBURN, Ala. – When Bo Nix walked unaccompanied to midfield for the coin toss prior to No. 15 Auburn's 30-28 victory vs. Arkansas, he stood alone because of a new NCAA rule designed to minimize COVID-19 spread.
Next Game:
South Carolina
10/17/2020
11 AM
TV: ESPN
Radio: Auburn Sports Network
Nix was also the only one of Auburn's four captains who played against the Razorbacks.
While running back Shaun Shivers and defensive lineman Big Kat Bryant could return from injuries Saturday vs. South Carolina, linebacker K.J. Britt remains sidelined
In their absence, younger players have assumed larger roles. Freshman defensive linemen Colby Wooden and Zykeivous Walker both recorded their first sacks against the Razorbacks, while junior linebacker Zakoby McClain made a career-high 13 tackles.
"He's a big-time linebacker," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "He's got a great nose for the ball. He can defeat blocks, he's got great effort and can play sideline-to-sideline. He's a super human being. He's got a great heart. He's got a great spirit about him. He loves football. He is a football player with a capital F. He loves the physicality. He's an Auburn football player. He's tough, so he's a lot of fun to coach."
After rushing for 146 yards vs. South Carolina, true freshman Tank Bigsby figures to play another prominent role against South Carolina.
"What has impressed me is just his physicality and determination," Malzahn said. "He's bringing the wood. He's running angry with great physicality and with great effort. We're throwing him in the fire. He seized that opportunity.
"He loves playing football. He's got confidence. He's got a great positive spirit about him and he has that edge."
South Carolina offensive coordinator Mike Bobo, a longtime play-caller at Georgia, returns to the SEC after five seasons as the head coach at Colorado State, bringing with him graduate transfer quarterback Collin Hill.
"In this league, you've got to be able to run it and throw it," Malzahn said. "You look at his grad transfer quarterback; you can tell he's been with him. He's comfortable. He's a big guy who has a big arm. He knows what to expect. I think that, especially in a year like this, an experienced quarterback that's been with his coach before, I think those teams have an advantage over some."
Malzahn's message to the Tigers as Auburn visits Williams-Brice Stadium for the first time since 2011?
"Let's get a little bit better each week," he said.
No. 15 Auburn (2-1) and South Carolina (1-2) kick off at 11 a.m. CT Saturday on ESPN with Dave Pasch, Greg McElroy and Holly Rowe calling the action. Fans can also listen to the Auburn Network call with Andy Burcham, Stan White and Ronnie Brown on 93.9 Tiger FM, Sirius 135/XM 192, online at AuburnTigers.com and on the TuneIn app.THREE QUESTIONS WITH... WR SETH WILLIAMS
Q: What have you seen from the young guys at WR?
A: I've seen that they're really talented. They're not an ordinary group of freshmen. They can get in there and get their work done. When Flash, Shed and I need a blow, they can come in like they never missed a beat. It's definitely important. If anything happens to one of us, it's good to know they can come in and fill the spot. They know what to do. We can count on them.
Q: What is the ceiling for the passing game?
A: We've got a lot of potential. We've still got some things to work on. We're not all the way there yet, but the sky is the limit. We always talk about it all the time. It goes back to execution. When we execute, we can get things done. We're just lacking execution right now. We know we have to do that, and we'll be fine. It's still early in the season. We just have to mesh together.
Q: What was it like watching Anthony Schwartz excel vs. Arkansas?
A: It was good. I know Flash, he had it in him all the time. It was his first 100-yard game, but I knew it was going to come. It could have happened last year or the year before last. He's special. He can do it many more games. I just like watching your brother have a good game.INSIDE THE SERIES
This will be the 13th meeting in the all-time series and the ninth since the Gamecocks joined the SEC in 1992. Auburn leads the series 10-1-1 and is 3-0 in all games played at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.
Auburn extended its winning streak over South Carolina to eight games with its 42-35 victory in 2014 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn. The Tigers were 16-13 victors in their last trip to Columbia in 2011, as an unranked Auburn squad upset the No. 10 Gamecocks.
Auburn posted two wins over the Gamecocks in 2010; the Tigers won 35-27 on Sept. 25 in Auburn and 56-17 on Dec. 4 in the SEC Championship Game. The eight-game winning streak is the Tigers' longest active winning streak over an SEC opponent.
Series: Auburn leads 10-1-1
In Columbia: Auburn leads 3-0
In Auburn: Auburn leads 4-0
At Neutral sites: Auburn leads 3-1-1
Most AU points: 56 (2010)
Current streak: Auburn, W8
BY THE NUMBERS
Gameday Program
344: Auburn has outscored South Carolina 344-195 in the series, including 272-146 in the eight meetings since 1996. Four of the last five games in the series have been decided by eight points or less.
22: Auburn has rushed for 22 touchdowns against South Carolina since 1996, while allowing only three TDs on the ground in that span (1996, 2010 regular season, 2011).
268: Tank Bigsby produced 268 all-purpose yards vs. Arkansas (146 rushing, 16 receiving, 106 kickoff returns), Auburn's first game with more than 250 all-purpose yards since Tre Mason's 312 in the 2013 SEC Championship Game vs. Missouri.
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer