Slow starts on defense burying Tigers

AUBURN – After allowing over 30 points for the fourth straight game, frustrations with Auburn's defense have reached a boiling point.

The Tigers allowed true freshman quarterback Kyle Allen to look stoic in his career road game, throwing for 277 yards and four touchdowns to lead Texas A&M to a 41-38 win last week, with all four scores coming in the first half.

It was the latest in a monthlong series of disappointing performances by Auburn's defense, which has allowed 38, 35, 31 and 41 points in its last four games.

"We've just seen better offenses and we've got to step up our game," Auburn defensive coordinator Ellis Johnson said. "Seen a little bit better skill people this past game and had a chance with a young quarterback to hopefully make a difference and we just gave him too many easy throws."

Particularly troubling has been increasingly characteristic slow starts for the Tigers defense.

Auburn has trailed by at least 10 points in three of its last four games, only digging out of the hole against Ole Miss, thanks in large part to two fourth quarter fumbles.

"Getting off to the start, that's been the thing that we've got to fix," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "Once we get into the game, especially the second half, our guys are playing better and they're settling down and all that."

Turning things around will be especially vital against No. 15 Georgia on Saturday. The Bulldogs boast the top scoring offense (43 points) in the SEC and get back running back Todd Gurley.

Miscommunication in the secondary and generally poor tackling have plagued the defense, which with several key returning players late in year two under Johnson's 4-2-5 system has been a cause for concern.

"We're going to get better at it. A lot of the tackling is being in the right position in the first place," Malzahn said. "Any time miscommunication in any area late in the season, that's not good. As coaches, we've got to figure out a way to solve that in all three areas."

Cornerback Jonathon Mincy said the secondary's communication problems can come from a number of areas.

"Maybe some of the players not looking at the right play-caller, or not having time to look over there, and it's just not being communicated throughout the secondary," Mincy said. "That's something we've got to do better with."

Defensive tackle and captain Gabe Wright took the blame for a busted assignment against Ole Miss and emphasized the need for players to get back on the same page.

"We just have to take more of a responsibility role in that area," Wright said. "It's really not any fingers being pointed. Just coaches saying (they) need to coach better and players know we need to step up."

Johnson said there is not a lack of confidence among the defense.

"(If) any individuals who've gotten frustrated or lost a little confidence, I don't know of it," he said. "They know they're not playing well in certain situations and maybe coaching, we've got to find a better way to do it, teach it. Maybe throw some stuff out and make it a little simpler. But they know when we come in on Sunday, we look at it and say, 'Yeah, I know I messed that up' or whatever, but it's too late.

"But I think we've just got to be more consistent. If that means cutting it back or if that means teaching better, we've got to find a way as coaches to get that done."

Lack of consistent pass rush has been a problem all year and with just three regular season games remaining, it's hard to foresee it changing.

The Tigers opened the season strong, but took advantage of some soft non-conference opponents.

With two tough road tests left, it's going to take a return to early season form in order to keep Auburn in the hunt for the SEC West and College Football Playoff race.

"I'm a firm believe that it's not how you start, it's how you finish," Wright said. "I feel like collectively we've got a good group of guys that want to do better. That was our No. 1 goal, and I feel like that's what we're going to do."