Stopping Cal’s ground attack was a top priority for Auburn and it succeeded. The Golden Bears were held to 101 yards off 33 carries, averaging 3.1 yards per attempt.

Auburn’s secondary, third-down defense a liability Against UC-Davis in Week 1, Cal quarterback Fernando Mendoza passed for just 158 yards, while the Cal offense went just 2-for-13 on third down.

Auburn’s defensive backs tightened up in the second half but got picked apart badly in the first half. Mendoza finished 25-of-36 with 233 yards and two touchdowns.

If you take away Auburn’s four interceptions, Hank Brown and Payton Thorne combined for a decent afternoon. Brown went 7-of-13 for 72 yards, Thorne went 13-of-22 for 213 yards and two touchdowns.