When Auburn fans look at Alex Golesh’s 41-38 loss to Navy in 2025, it’s easy to see why the number has stuck. It’s the most obvious stain on the new Tigers head coach’s résumé, and it has only become a bigger talking point because so much of that USF offense is coming with him to the Plains.
But a closer look at that game suggests the concern may be overstated.
The biggest reason is simple: Auburn’s defense is built very differently from the one Golesh had at USF. The Tigers bring back most of their key pieces from last season’s top-tier unit, with Keldric Faulk and Keyron Crawford the notable departures after being selected in the 2026 NFL Draft. That return should matter in 2026, especially with DJ Durkin back as defensive coordinator.
That’s a major contrast with the Bulls, who looked like an offense trying to outrun its own defense. Navy rolled up more than 330 rushing yards in that matchup, and the Midshipmen kept popping explosive plays against a USF defense that looked far too easy to crack.
One of those was an 82-yard reception, which remains Navy’s longest passing play in nearly 16 years. By the end of the day, Navy had piled up more than 500 yards of offense, with a lot of that damage coming on breakaway plays in the first half.
That kind of defensive leak would be a much tougher sell against Auburn.
Special teams also tilted the game. USF kicker Nico Gramatica missed a point-after try that would have trimmed the deficit to three late in the fourth quarter. Auburn, meanwhile, has Alex McPherson, who has not missed a PAT in his career, so that particular problem doesn’t appear to be part of the equation for Golesh’s new team.
The offense itself still showed plenty of why Golesh is so highly regarded. Byrum Brown delivered in big moments, breaking loose for a 60-yard rushing touchdown and hitting a 41-yard passing touchdown. He finished with 327 passing yards and two passing touchdowns, plus a team-best 136 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
What stands out just as much is how little help he got on the ground behind him. Alvon Isaac was the next-leading rusher with seven carries for 32 yards. Auburn should be in a better spot there, especially with Baylor transfer Bryson Washington joining Jeremiah Cobb in the backfield.
Golesh and offensive coordinator Joel Gordon also leaned into some creativity. One of the more memorable plays in the game was a 29-yard touchdown pass from then-freshman running back Nykahi Davenport to Jeremiah Koger, and both players are now Tigers.
Koger was a big part of the passing game throughout the afternoon, catching nine passes for 112 yards and a touchdown. Keshaun Singleton added five catches for 86 yards and a score, highlighted by two strong contested grabs.
Still, the Bulls were not clean on offense. In the second quarter, Brown forced a bad interception off his back foot with little pressure in his face.
Usually, he would tuck it and run on a play like that, and that approach had worked well for USF in that game anyway. Even with the turnover, the offense settled back in.
The first half was uneven overall. USF managed only nine points before halftime, getting a field goal and a second-quarter touchdown, then failing on an aggressive two-point attempt.
The second half, though, looked much more like Golesh’s style. The Bulls scored on four of their five drives after the break, not counting the final desperate lateral sequence to end the game.
That’s the part Auburn fans should probably keep in mind. The offense can still be sharp and efficient when it gets rolling, but it also needs to start faster. Auburn’s defense can cover a lot, but it can’t erase everything.
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