It didn’t look like the Auburn defense everyone was expecting on Saturday in the first half against Oregon. The Ducks, led by quarterback Justin Herbert, were carving up the Tigers and moving down the field seemingly at will.

Then, the big boys showed up. Oregon was held to 13 rushing yards in the second half and the Tigers increased the pressure on Herbert, who is likely a first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. Auburn got the Ducks out of rhythm and allowed only one touchdown in the final 30 minutes.

All of this gave Bo Nix, a true freshman in his first start, the chance to win it. He used his legs to complete a do-or-die fourth down with under two minutes to play and then, with Auburn already in field goal range, hit Seth Williams for a 26-yard touchdown with 9 seconds left to win it.

But this story is about the Auburn defense. The vaunted defense, under Kevin Steele in his fourth year, that is supposed to be one of the tops in the nation. Did the Tigers defense have troubles at first? Yes. However, give credit to Steele and the defensive staff, they made the adjustments.

Herbert was getting rid of the ball quickly, not allowing the Tigers’ defensive line — quite a formidable bunch — to have any time to put pressure on the quarterback. This was because the Auburn defensive backs were playing a bit off the Oregon receivers and giving them room to complete quick screens.

This wasn’t the case in the second 30 minutes. Steele, coaching from the sidelines instead of the coaches’ box, eventually made the change. Suddenly, Auburn’s defense was looking like … well … Auburn’s defense. The pressure that wasn’t there earlier suddenly appeared and it was a whole different game. Herbert, once settled in the pocket, seemed anxious. Tigers defensive lineman Derrick Brown and company took control.

It was almost a repeat of the 2011 BCS National Championship Game. Oregon, with all of its flash and dazzle, came out and started moving down the field. Then, things changed. Non-SEC fans won’t want to hear this, especially those of the Pac-12, but sometimes when teams start getting punched in the mouth it becomes obvious who is used to it.

Auburn, somehow, won this game behind the heroics of Nix to Williams. But the comeback, after the Tigers were down 21-6, comes from the play of the defense.

The defense was going to carry the Tigers to a win in one game this season. It just happens that it was in the opener in a primetime game against No. 11 Oregon. That bodes well for Auburn fans for the rest of the season.