USC looks to contain Auburn QB Newton

AUBURN, Ala. -- A lot of things have changed since the last time South Carolina was in Auburn, in 2005. And that's just fine with the Gamecocks, who would prefer to leave that 48-7 loss to Auburn buried in the past.

One thing the Tigers didn't have then that they'll deal with now is a giant quarterback named Cameron Newton.

Newton, a former Florida QB who wound up at Auburn via a junior college in Texas, is new to the scene this year.

The fact that Gamecocks defensive head coach Ellis Johnson compared Newton to JaMarcus Russell and Vince Young should be somewhat concerning. Oh, and Tim Tebow, too.

"I think he's obviously a big-time threat," Johnson said, "with both his arm and his feet."

There's little debate to the latter. At 6-6 and 250 pounds, large for a runner, Newton still motors around well. In fact, he seems to look to run.

Through three games, including last week's win against Clemson, Newton is fifth in the SEC in rushing (103 yards a game).

"He's going to pose a big-time problem," Johnson said. "He is hard to get on the ground when you do get to him."

Backs Onterio McCalebb (75) and Michael Dyer (70.7) are also in the league's top 10 in rushing, all of them combining to be the reason the Tigers are averaging a league-best 259.3 yards a game.

Running a bunch has been enough to get No. 17 Auburn to 3-0 (1-0 SEC) entering tonight's game against the 12th-ranked Gamecocks (3-0, 1-0). Kickoff is set for 7:45 p.m. on ESPN.

Newton's season high in passing attempts is 19, at Mississippi State. He threw just 14 times in the wins against Clemson and Arkansas State.

Then again, there were other called pass plays that turned into Newton scrambles.

But, of course, there's always the chance this is the game when Newton settles into what is traditionally known as a pass-centric Gus Malzahn offense.

"I'm doing what I'm coached to do," Newton said. "If it's to run it 100 times a game and throw it once, I'm all for it. If we get the 'W,' you won't hear nothing from me."

South Carolina has to be extremely careful with Newton's arm. Lulled to a slumber by run after run, playmaking Auburn receivers Darvin Adams or Terrell Zachery will slip past the Gamecocks' secondary.

"He's making some really good throws," Johnson said of Newton. "He can make every throw that's ever been invented. ... I've seen him throw a lot of balls that can really stretch you, vertically and horizontally."

Getting burned by Adams, an All-SEC performer and deep threat, is particularly dangerous considering that South Carolina suddenly has a penchant to give up big plays.

A coverage breakdown has happened at least once in every game, and it's a big reason why USC is last in the SEC in pass defense (267 yards a game).

That's the case even though the Gamecocks were among the national leaders in the category last year, and virtually everyone is back.

So, to the coaches, there's no excuse for giving up, say, a 72-yard touchdown pass from Furman's running back.

"If we've got one side playing one thing and the other playing something else, we're going to give up yards," cornerbacks coach Lorenzo Ward said. "We've got to get communication to where both sides are doing the same thing. Whether it's lackadaisical or not concentrating, and that's how I see it, we're not focusing."

He's not in the secondary, but the return of linebacker Shaq Wilson could help in big-play prevention. Johnson has called Wilson the defense's quarterback, for his instinctive ability to get the defense in the right alignment and coverage based on what he's seeing.

Johnson has said Wilson, out since the first day of preseason camp with a hamstring injury, will play and play a bunch.

"We can't give up the big plays," Ward said. "The guys understand. We've got to do better. We'll get it worked out."

No. 12 USC at No. 17 Auburn

Here’s a look at what could make the difference when South Carolina and Auburn meet tonight in Auburn, Ala.

What’s the rush?

If Furman got to Stephen Garcia, why can’t Auburn? You know that’s what the Tigers are thinking this week, and what’s been drilled into their heads. Auburn will stack the box (to slow Marcus Lattimore) and bring pressure (to rattle Garcia). If Garcia makes the right reads, someone will be open. But will he, and will he have time? Setting sacks over-under at 4.5. The USC line is banged-up, but it needs to perform well anyway for the team to have a shot.

A second dimension

Auburn leads the SEC in rushing, with more than 250 yards a game on the ground. Big quarterback Cam Newton is a run-first, throw-second kind of guy. Backs Michael Dyer and Onterio McCalebb complement one another well. But here’s the thing: Auburn has big-play receivers in Darvin Adams and Terrell Zachery. In the effort to stop the run, the Gamecocks can’t forget about Adams and Zachery. Auburn completed just seven passes last week against Clemson, but that doesn’t mean just one long one can’t hurt you.

Silence the roar

South Carolina didn’t win a game on the road in SEC play a year ago. Crowd noise wasn’t always an issue in those games, but it could be tonight. Combating that, to some degree, will be the Gamecocks’ no-huddle offense. But going on the road is a huge challenge for USC, especially at Jordan-Hare. If there’s anything that can be done to get the crowd out of it – not even as much as Clemson’s 17-0 start a week ago – that would be most helpful to Garcia and his teammates.

Outlook

The Gamecocks have more talent, overall, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win. That especially goes out the window on the road. Keep an eye on the team’s overall energy level, after an emotionally draining week for many of the players. Don’t underestimate how much Lattimore will want to make a statement playing at his second choice. He’ll help, but the defense will win this game. Auburn starts slow again, and the Tigers prove a bit too one-dimensional. Another Stephon Gilmore interception sets up the put-away score.

Prediction

SOUTH CAROLINA 21, AUBURN 10