Football innovators Spurrier, Malzahn good friends

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Auburn’s Gus Malzahn and South Carolina’s Steve Spurrier share reputations as college football innovators, a preference for visors and a friendship developed the past few years.

Malzahn admired Spurrier’s success at Florida and since joining the Gamecocks. Spurrier said he appreciates Malzahn’s offense and generally likes those coaches like himself who call their own plays.

The two will meet Saturday night when the Gamecocks (4-3, 2-3 Southeastern Conference) play at No. 5 Auburn (5-1, 2-1). Auburn has won seven straight in the series dating to the South Carolina’s last victory in 1933.

Auburn was national runners up last season and is attempting to stay alive in the powerful SEC West. South Carolina is trying to re-direct a season gone wrong after consecutive league losses to Missouri and Kentucky.