The Auburn defense knew it would be tested Saturday night against coach Gus Malzahn’s former team, and a similar, wide-open offensive attack they practice against every day.
The Tigers accepted that challenge, holding the Red Wolves’ explosive offense out of the end zone, en route to a 38-9 victory.
“We played together today,” defensive end LaDarius Owens said. “And it was a good result.”
Together they succeeded, holding an Arkansas State offense that rolled up 62 points in his season opener last week to its lowest single-game point total since 2011. Owens finished the night with eight total tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss.
“The goal of the defense was just to accept the challenge,” Owens said. “They put up 500 yards last week, and 500 yards is a lot, no matter who you’re playing. You’ve got to respect that.
“So it was a challenge to the defense. The (defensive backs) and linebackers challenged the D-line to come and fight. So we just played together, and made that a goal.”
Going back to last week’s season-opening win against Washington State, the Tigers defense hasn’t allowed a touchdown in six consecutive quarters.
“Limiting explosive plays, that’s always a big thing for the defense,” cornerback Chris Davis said. “Not letting them get in the end zone, that’s really big, too. We held them to three field goals.
“I think the defense played good tonight, but I think we’ve still got some more to go to improve on.”
Davis led the Auburn defense with 10 total tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
The Auburn defense allowed Arkansas State to roll up 422 yards of offense, but the Tigers tightened when it counted. Auburn shut down the Red Wolves twice on fourth-down conversion attempts in the first half.
In the third quarter, the Tigers defense forced the Red Wolves into two field goals with back-to-back, red-zone stops, shutting down an Arkansas State drive inside the 5-yard line, and forcing a three-and-out moments later after Auburn quarterback Nick Marshall lost a fumble deep in Tigers territory.
At one point early in the second quarter, the Red Wolves were 5-of-7 on third-down conversions. The Tigers’ defense bowed, and from there, held Arkansas State to just 3-of-11 in conversions on third down.
“You’ve got to be good on third downs, because we’ve got to try and get off the field,” Davis said. “Coaches were making the right calls on third down, and we were just going out trying to execute.”
Owens found the defense’s effort to be a vast improvement over last week’s 31-24 shootout.
“It’s crazy thinking about it,” Owens said. “First-game jitters and everything is out, and we just looked like a whole other monster today after last week.
“So hopefully we can build on that and get ready for the SEC.”
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