Auburn remained unbeaten in 2023 after an impressive defensive performance last Saturday on the West Coast.

As the offense sputtered with a 2-quarterback system, an opportunistic Tigers defense kept the Cal Bears in check. A bend-but-don’t-break approach worked out in a 14-10 victory, snapping a 7-game losing streak away from Jordan-Hare Stadium.

If the old saying is true that defense wins championships, then the 2-0 Tigers should be in good shape. It certainly bailed them out on Saturday. And for the 2nd time in 2 games this season, it was linebacker Eugene Asante leading the team in total tackles.

The 6-1, 222-pound junior recorded a career-high 12 tackles on Saturday, including 9 solo. A native of Alexandria, Va., who started his college career at North Carolina turned in his 2nd sack of the season in leading a Tigers defense that came up big when it counted.

For his efforts, Asante was named SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week.

Asante was right there in the middle of some of the bigger plays in Saturday’s game. He teamed with safety Donovan Kaufman, who was 2nd on the team in tackles with 8, to throw Cal running back Ashton Stredick for a 2-yard loss on 3rd-and-10 from the Auburn 23-yard line, forcing a long field-goal attempt that sailed wide and was no good.

Asante struck again early in the 4th quarter, putting an end to Cal’s 10-play, 40-yard drive by sacking Bears quarterback Sam Jackson for an 11-yard loss, forcing another long field-goal attempt that once again sailed wide. Again, the Bears came up empty.

It was the theme of the night.

Eight of 13 Cal drives ended in Auburn territory. Four of those started on the Tigers’ side of the field, due in part to 3 of Auburn’s 4 turnovers (3 fumbles, 1 interception).

But thanks to key plays by Asante and Co., the damage was kept to a minimum. By no means a 1-man show, Asante had plenty of help on that side of the football.

It was Kaufman who set the tone early in the 2nd quarter, forcing his 2nd fumble of the season and pouncing on his 1st fumble recovery as a Tiger. The New Orleans native, who transferred from Vanderbilt after the 2021 season, set Auburn’s offense in motion at the Bears’ 17-yard line, leading to an easy score and a 7-3 lead.

And there were plenty of others on defense who contributed. The Tigers forced 3 turnovers and took it away another time on downs. Senior cornerback DJ James made his 1st interception of the season and 4th of his career. He previously had 2 picks while playing at Oregon.

Fellow senior cornerback Jaylin Simpson added his 2nd interception of the season and 5th of his career, while senior defensive lineman Marcus Harris got into the act with his 2nd sack of the season and 6th of his career.

So, while Asante continues to assert himself as the ringleader, he is getting plenty of help from the rest of the cast. And that only bodes well for the development of a defense that currently ranks among the tops in the SEC.

Sure, it’s early, and the meat of the schedule has yet to be met. But after 2 games, the Tigers lead the conference in 3rd-down stoppage (18.52% conversion), and rank 3rd in total defense (287.0 yards), scoring defense (12.0 points) and turnovers forced (5).

Couple that with a more consistent offense and it could turn out to be a very special 1st season on The Plains for head coach Hugh Freeze. The Tigers will continue to work toward that endeavor when they host Southern Conference opponent Samford at 7 p.m. ET on Saturday.