While the Auburn Tigers suffered a deflating upset loss to Cal 21-14 Saturday afternoon, the defense showed signs of promise and something to build on for the season in the second half of play.
After a shaky start that allowed the Golden Bears to score two touchdowns on their first three possessions, the defense dialed it back in and gave the offense multiple chances to get the Tigers back in the game.
“If we can take anything from it is that our defense really improved as the game went on in the second half and gave us the chances,” said head coach Hugh Freeze.
In the third quarter, after the Tigers allowed 222 total yards and two touchdowns, they managed to keep the Golden Bears in check with 27 total yards and no points.
“I think that our communication in the first half was not as good as it should have been,” said sophomore defensive end Keldrick Faulk. “When we came out in the second half, we over-communicated. We were in our right gaps. We covered the right man, and we honed in on our keys.”
Faulk recorded sacks on back-to-back plays to push Cal out of field goal range at the end of the second quarter, the only two for the Tigers, and finished the game with a team-high eight tackles with three for a loss.
It was clear that Cal's game plan was to attack the inexperienced Auburn secondary, and they did.
Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza finished the game 25-36 with 233 passing yards and two touchdowns.
Mendoza, who exited the game late with an injury, had also had a near-perfect first half and threw 19-21 with 205 of his 233 passing yards.
Part of Auburn's defensive problems was the Golden Bears' ability to stay on the field. The Tigers allowed Cal to convert ten out of 19 third-down attempts.
This inability to get off the field allowed Cal to have nearly 11 more minutes in the time of possession category.
Auburn has now lost to the last four FBS teams it has faced. It will look to end that streak and put this game behind it before its matchup against New Mexico.
“You can only control what you can control,” said senior safety Jerrin Thompson. “So all we can do is get back to work Monday and get ready.”
Thompson finished the night with six tackles and one of the three Auburn pass breakups.
With New Mexico coming to town, Auburn will look to fix their turnover problem on offense and defense as the Tigers have yet to take the ball away from their opponent this season.
In 2023, Auburn tied for third-most turnovers forced in the SEC but has yet to come with a takeaway.
This group showed they have something to build on but much more to work on as they welcome New Mexico for homecoming.
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Craig Noyes is a senior from Kensington, Maryland, majoring in journalism. He joined The Plainsman in January 2023.
You can follow him on X (Twitter) at @CraigNoyes58
