Auburn pays dearly for challenging South Carolina corner Jaycee Horn in upset loss

COLUMBIA – University of South Carolina junior cornerback Jaycee Horn got one of those rare chances he had often thought about when it became his singular role Saturday to take what was perceived as the opponent’s most dangerous receiver out the game plan.

Horn was tasked with his own personal assignment in Saturday’s 30-22 upset of 14th-ranked Auburn. Wherever Seth Williams, Auburn’s 6-foot-3, 211-pound playmaker with a big frame and good hands, went on the field, it was Horn’s job to be his shadow. He was to be Williams’ bodyguard, so to speak, although one who fully planned for his continued demise throughout the game.

USC defensive coordinator Travaris Robinson told Horn of the game plan and the guy who patrols one of the loneliest islands of all the Southeastern Conference cornerbacks, seeing very few balls thrown his way over his career, was delighted.

“I went to John (Dixon) and told him wherever (Williams) goes I’m going to follow him and you go to the other side," Horn said. "That’s why you saw on some of the plays we were late lining up. I’m glad T-Rob gave me a chance, and he basically said, 'Go out there and lock him up,' and I was able to do that.”

“If there’s a better corner out there I want to see him," USC coach Will Muschamp said of Horn. "He and Seth Williams battled all day, and it was a great battle. We matched him up on Williams and felt good about where we were going to be in those situations. He made some really nice plays on the ball.”

Those nice plays included two interceptions that set up Gamecocks scores that were crucial factors in the upset.

“He’s always had really great ball skills," Muschamp said. "Some of it is he hasn’t been targeted very much, let’s be honest. But he’s a heck of a player, and I’m happy for him. I wish he would’ve gotten in the end zone there on that one return.”

Horn began the afternoon playing in his 27th career game and making his 26th career start. Despite emerging as one of the SEC’s most reliable lock-down cover corners, he had never intercepted a pass. Heck, his usual partner – standout junior Israel Mukuamu – headlined last year’s upset of No. 3 Georgia with three interceptions, including a return for touchdown. Horn intercepted two passes from Auburn’s Bo Nix with both takeaways helping to result in touchdowns. He also deflected another ball away from Williams that ended up in the arms of teammate Jaylin Dickerson, who is in his fourth injury-riddled year at USC and previously hadn’t picked off a pass.

That play also led to a touchdown on USC’s taking over possession. Horn played a huge part in 21 of USC’s 30 points as a defender.

"Knowing (Auburn), they’re going to run their system and I respect that with (offensive coordinator) Chad (Morris) because I think he’s a hell of a football coach," Muschamp said, "but we knew there was going to be some opportunities for Jaycee against Williams, who we think is outstanding.”

Williams entered the game with 12 catches for 216 yards, an 18 yards per catch average, and two touchdown receptions. With Horn blanketing him all day, Williams added four catches for 74 yards with 44 coming on one play.

Horn’s first interception came on the second snap of the second quarter, when he helped jump-start a struggling USC offense. He darted in on a Nix throw after the quarterback was forced from the pocket by Tonka Hemingway. Horn saw the pressure and knew where Nix was going with the ball, darting in to snare the throw and set up USC at Auburn’s 29. The ensuing series resulted in USC’s first touchdown. Horn arrived at his postgame videoconference with that ball, which he said he planned to carry around all day before presenting it to his family.

Horn almost scored on his second interception late in the third quarter, sprinting down the left sideline with only Nix to beat before the quarterback cut him down at the knees at Auburn’s 8-yard-line. USC’s Kevin Harris scored on the next play for a 27-19 lead.

“I should’ve taken that to the crib,” Horn said. “(Nix) hit me low and I wish I would’ve hurdled him and gotten to the end zone. That would’ve made the pick a little better.”

Even without a touchdown, the reviews from Horn’s teammates were award worthy.

“That’s a bad man,” quarterback Collin Hill said. “I hate going against him (in practice), but it makes us better. You always have to know where that guy is.”

Defensive lineman Jabari Ellis said, “Jaycee is a guy who brings it. He brings it to practice and he brings it to games. When he got his interceptions, he always has high energy, so it really didn’t change much. I feel like we were more happy than him.”

USC senior receiver Shi Smith may have summed it up the best in saying, “If a team throws at him like that every game, he’ll have a game like that every game.”