AUBURN, Ala. -- At the end of the 2014 season, Auburn’s defense allowed 539 yards and 55 points in a loss to in-state rival Alabama. It was the sixth straight SEC game where the opponent scored 30 or more points on the Tigers. And it was no surprise that veteran defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson was fired the next day.
A year and a half later, it’s a different defense. A lot of the same players remain, but the mentality has completely changed.
That was evident Saturday night when Auburn held Clemson to a mere 19 points.