Auburn’s defense didn’t hide from the Florida loss. After giving up 44 points in a 44-39 defeat in the SEC opener, the Tigers spent Monday dealing with the fallout the hard way: with blunt conversations, a hard reset in practice and a clear demand for a better response.
Head coach Alex Golesh said the aftermath of Saturday’s game included tough talk throughout the program.
“Not good enough in any way from our end, from a coaching side, not good enough for me,” Golesh said. “And then our players executing at a high level, which, again, goes back to me, and us not doing a good enough job there.
So that’s the synopsis there. Cleaned it up.
Obviously had tough conversations yesterday as a staff. Had tough conversations (Monday) morning with our kids.
Coached the living crap out of it, turned the page, moved on.”
The numbers from the Florida game were rough. Auburn missed 24 tackles and allowed nearly 500 yards of offense, a glaring breakdown in a loss that marked the most points the Tigers have allowed in a defeat since 2012.
But defensive coordinator DJ Durkin said the mood around the group changed quickly once the team got back on the field Monday. In his view, the reaction was exactly what Auburn needed.
“I think the best response was (Monday). We were down on the field this morning, and they were good, had one of the best Mondays,” Durkin said.
“They were -- the response you want. I think there’s a lot of guys in our room that have played a lot of football, really good football, and take pride in how they perform and what our standard is.
And so, I think obviously they’re affected by it in a positive way. They’re going to respond the right way.”
Chris Murray said the defense has kept its focus on Vanderbilt, not on whatever was being said outside the building after the Florida game.
“I think the players responded very responsibly,” Murray said. “Not taking everything they see in the media to the tune of just responding to the media.
We’ve just got to strap up our helmets and get back to work. It’s the next week.
We can’t dwell on one loss. Just get back to work and win this week.”
The secondary has been a particular problem through three games. Auburn has allowed 765 passing yards and 314 yards after the catch, and against Florida alone the Tigers gave up 110 yards after the catch. On the season, the secondary has eight pass breakups and four interceptions.
Sylvester Smith-Reed said that side of the defense understands what’s at stake in how it handles the response from here.
“It definitely gets us going,” Auburn safety Sylvester Smith-Reed said. “Like I said, it’s all about responding.
As a man, we all have to look at ourselves in the mirror and decide what we’re going to do. You either respond or you lay down.
And in that room, there’s no laying down. So, we’re going to respond.
“How you practice is how you’re going to play. You’re either going to lay down or respond, and in that room, we’re going to respond. Looking forward to getting the rest of the practices in and getting to game day.”
Auburn will try to show that response Saturday against Vanderbilt. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.
In Other News...
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Sumrall also said he never interviewed for the Auburn coaching job last year, which only adds another layer to the chatter whenever his name comes up in relation to the Tigers. With Ole Miss coming off a rise to No. 4 after beating LSU and quarterback Trinidad Chambliss earning SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors, the spotlight is already bright, and any Auburn-related aside from Sumrall is bound to keep the debate humming a little longer. [Read more 🡒]
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Jordan-Hare Stadium has long sold itself as one of college footballs loudest, most unforgiving places to play, but Floridas 44-39 win over Auburn turned the conversation back toward whether the home environment matched the reputation on this particular night. Auburns defense gave up 495 yards and 44 points, while Florida running back Jadan Baugh helped fuel the Gators big offensive performance, and the result left the Tigers dealing with more than just a loss.
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For Auburn, the issue matters because the Tigers have already lined up some of the kind of games supporters want to see, with Notre Dame on the schedule in 2027 and 2028 and Miami set for 2029 and 2030. Those are the sorts of opponents that add juice to a season and give fans a destination worth planning around, but they also stand out in a sport where too many teams seem to be leaning toward easier paths. If that trend keeps spreading, Auburns future non-conference slate may look stronger than most, but it could also become the exception rather than the rule. [Read more 🡒]