Nov. 13, 2016
By Charles Goldberg
AuburnTigers.com
ATHENS, Ga. - Auburn hasn't allowed a rushing touchdown in seven straight games, and Saturday, its defense didn't allow a touchdown of any kind.
But the Tigers' team-oriented defense didn't find much solace in that against Georgia on Saturday. The Bulldogs scored their only touchdown on a pass interception and beat Auburn 13-7.
"We could have done a whole lot of better things on defense. We didn't play up to our abilities," said linebacker Javaris Davis.
The game notes told a different defensive story. Auburn's defense has allowed only 15 touchdowns in 10 games; has allowed a modest 56 points in the second half of SEC games; and has held eight of its last nine opponents below their scoring average.
"The defense played great," said coach Gus Malzahn.
And the defense had to do over a long period. Auburn ran only 22 plays and held the ball just seven minutes and six seconds in the second half. Georgia had the ball three times longer, a controlling 22 minutes and 54 seconds.
Still, Auburn's defense allowed Georgia only two second-half field goals, a solid all-around performance.
"At this point, I'm still bothered by the loss. I'm not feeling any type of happiness," said defensive lineman Carl Lawson.
"After the game, spirits are down because we lost." But, Lawson added, "We got this far by being together, and we're going to stay together."
Auburn had eight tackles for a loss, including three by Lawson and two by Montravius Adams.
"Montravius is one of the best players in the country," Malzahn said. "It's obviously an important game for him. He's disappointed. But Montravius is a great player, great person."
And Auburn will play on, first against Alabama A&M at home at 6:30 p.m. Saturday in Jordan-Hare Stadium, then against Alabama in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 26.
"We've just have to continue to work hard," Davis said.
Charles Goldberg is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: Follow @AUGoldMine