Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said it best: "Our offensive line was physical and dominant."
Clemson's senior running back Andre Ellington gashed Auburn's defense for 231 yards on 26 carries.
The 5-foot-9, 195 pound back averaged 8.9 a carry while junior quarterback Tajh Boyd added 88 backbreaking yards on 19 carries, many on scrambles after Auburn defenders had almost wrapped him up.
Clemson's offensive coordinator Chad Morris, who runs the same hurry-up no-huddle offense as former Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, worked Auburn's defensive line for the first three quarters and pounded the weary line in the fourth.
But Auburn's defense still had a chance to turn the momentum with one stop late in the fourth.
Clemson had the ball on its own 20 with 5:59 remaining in the game and a 23-19 lead.
In the next 11 plays and 79 yards, Clemson rushed eight times down to Auburn's one-yard-line. Even with an almost 10-deep rotation on the front four defensive lineman, Auburn's line was exhausted from the relentless hurry-up offense.
Clemson kicked a 19-yard field goal to stretch the lead to seven and milked the clock down to 1:24 in the process.
With no timeouts and sophomore quarterback Kiehl Frazier's confidence shaken, the game was practically over.
For the fourth time in five games against FBS opponents, Auburn had given up more than 200 yards on the ground.
But the signs of improvement are there.
Defensive ends Corey Lemonier and Dee Ford constantly pressure Boyd and forced errant throws. Junior linebacker Jake Holland played like a changed man from his 2011 performance. New starters at safety, Ryan Smith and Jermaine Whitehead, led the defense in tackles with 12 and 11, respectively.
Clemson was a tough opening test for new defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. Its no-huddle attack clearly bothered Auburn. Coach Gene Chizik noted after the game that Clemson's pace caused some pre-snap confusion.
320 rushing yards is tough to swallow, especially for a unit with nine returning starters.
Arm tackles still occured, but with less frequency than in previous years. But get your licks in now on Auburn's defense.
It's only going to improve the more they grow in their personal skill set and together as a unit in VanGorder's scheme.
Do you like this story? The Plainsman doesn't accept money from tuition or student fees, and we don't charge a subscription fee. But you can donate to support The Plainsman.
