In nearly every interview after the game, players and coaches were talking about missed opportunities and mental lapses.
"We've got to grow up as a football team," said sophomore defensive back Jermaine Whitehead. "Details killed us in our first two games, but with the bullets flying you've got to focus in on all cylinders."
Junior linebacker Jake Holland echoed those thoughts. "It was a lot of mental mistakes I think we made," Holland said. "We've just got to keep studying to get those right."
The defense allowed 388 yards - a 140 yard decrease from Clemson's total a week ago, but gave up two more points than last week.
"We had opportunities and it just didn't happen for us, said defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder. "(There is) a lot of room for improvement."
VanGorder had praise for the defensive line's continued pressure on the quarterback. "Our ends were impacting the game in the second half," VanGorder said. "We can't be a risky D, so to speak, so we've got to do a good job of mixing things up."
VanGorder also mentioned by Mississippi State quarterback Tyler Russell, who went 20-29 passing with 222 yards and three touchdowns.
"They did a lot of quick game things with him," said Van Gorder. "He used some dash in the second half to get away from our pass rush. I thought they had very solid concepts... he did a good job."
VanGorder leave without mentioning changes are coming. "It's wide open... the players know that," VanGorder said when asked about playing time being potentially up for grabs.
Junior linebacker Jake Holland has been a mainstay in Auburn's defense since last year and featured on the national championship squad as well. He also spoke of a need for change on the defense.
"We had some mistakes here and there that have to get corrected," Holland said before being asked how the offense's stalled drives were affecting the psyche of the defense.
"We can't really look into that but to be honest it can be a little demoralizing when the offense isn't getting drives going. But it's our job to step up when they're not doing hot and the same thing with them."
Holland also spoke on his unfamiliarity to an 0-2 start.
"I've never been here before," Holland said. "You just have to keep working hard. It's about putting in time and getting better every day."
Defensive back Jermaine Whitehead said in the end, football is football."... you win some you lose some... I take (losses) real hard. But it'll get better."
On the offensive side of the ball, junior fullback Jay Prosch was saying much of the same.
"We just got to keep practicing, keep working, keep getting after it," Prosch said. "It's definitely hard. No matter what you want to come out and win. We're gonna be strong, practice hard and get back on track."
Prosch played just days after losing his mother to her battle with cancer. Prosch transferred to Auburn from Illinois in order to be closer to her and his family in Mobile. He said the week has been difficult, but he never questioned playing football.
"During the week I was trying to focus on school and how I was gonna get back home, get back to practice," Prosch said. "Toward Wednesday I started putting my mind toward football."
Prosch said the game was a good way to give him something else to think about and to work toward. He thanked his coaches and teammates in particular.
"It was good I guess," Prosch said. "It's a big cloud of a bunch of different stuff overall. It started out with the coaches and what they've done for me. The support they give me, the transportation and just being there for me. My teammates, as soon as I got back Tuesday, were all there for me; the AU Family, people messaging me on Facebook telling me they're praying and they're there for me."
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