Defense keeps Clemson 2-0, with 14-6 victory over Auburn

He was the offensive coordinator when the 2010 team ranked seventh nationally in yards and points per game.

Clemson, which has led the nation in total tackles for loss each of the past four seasons, had 14 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks – one shy of the school record. Clemson’s 11 sacks reduced Auburn’s net rushing total to 42 carries for 38 yards for a 0.9 per carry average.

“There’s nothing wrong with winning games on defense, and we’ve demonstrated that”, Swinney said. Auburn couldn’t dethrone the reigning national champions in their own house, but its charge on most weekends during SEC play will be far less demanding. We didn’t protect the quarterback when we needed to and we weren’t able to effectively run the football. “And for a young guy like K’Von to get his first start at safety.it was just a great challenge for our defense but at the end of the day we just won in the trenches”.

The Auburn Tigers (1-0) are coming from a 41-7 win over the Georgia Southern Eagles last week. Clemson’s defense was at its peak destructive power against Auburn, holding the opposing species of Tiger to just 117 total yards.

The Tigers took over at their own 50-yard line following a 9-yard punt return by Ray-Ray McCloud.

Auburn only crossed midfield once over the course of its final nine possessions.

Clemson received the ball to start the second half, and continued their explosive play that ended the half. Bryant accounted for 240 of the team’s 284 yards and scored both TDs on runs.

“You have to find ways to win games, especially early in the season, and I’m just really proud of our guys, particularly on defense”.

“This game was culture versus culture, and we showed up”, O’Daniel said. “We just didn’t execute”. They did a lot of good things on defense.

“Our players are going to enjoy this one, but for us coaches, we think about Lamar Jackson and that group over at Louisville”, Venables said.

Clemson’s defense was merely getting warmed up after a great first half, as it was in swarming, relentless form throughout the evening.

Defensive end Austin Bryant, the fourth member of Clemson’s deep talented line led by Christian Wilkins, Dexter Lawrence and Clelin Ferrell, had four of the Tigers’ sacks and tied the team’s single-game mark.

Once Bryant appeared to be OK, ESPN announcer Steve Levy made up a phrase that some are having a big problem with. By four hours before game time, almost every parking space was filled and tailgating tents, big-screen televisions and generators were up-and-running.

Malzahn pointed out the need to avoid obvious passing situations. He also again brought up Stidham’s lack of experience.

In the second half, it was an eight-play, 79-yard drive, capped off by a Kelly Bryant rushing touchdown for his second of the game.

On Clemson’s next drive, Bryant drove the Tigers 88 yards in twelve plays – one of which was a gorgeous over-the-shoulder reception by junior wide receiver Ray-Ray McLeod. In the worst offensive performance of the Malzahn era at Auburn, that proved enough.

“We’ve got to look out for each other”, O’Daniel said. “I was thrilled to be back out there, ” he said.