For a half, Auburn looked a lot like it did last year: an offensive juggernaut and a turnstile on defense.But something happened in the locker room at halftime after Auburn squandered a 14-point lead and went into the break tied with Arkansas.The Tigers came out in the second half and played defense. Real defense.The Tigers outscored the Mike Clevinger Jersey Razorbacks 24-0 in the second half and outgained them 284-62 en route to a rain-soaked 45-21 victory in the season opener that was delayed for nearly 90 minutes because of lightning.HAYES: MORE: | | | Arkansas gashed Auburn in the first half for 151 rushing yards, blasting open one huge hole after another at the line of scrimmage. Cody Allen Jersey In the second half, Arkansas managed just two more rushing yards.Two.Consider this: Arkansas second half drives went for 3, 20, 2, 5 and 8 yards. One drive ended with Auburn safety Jermaine Whitehead returning an interception for a score.Our defense made the adjustments," Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. "We started playing physical football. That really made a big difference in the game."Thats a significant develop for Auburn.Everyone knows the Tigers are going to score. Preseason All-SEC quarterback Nick Marshall sat out the first half for an off-the-field transgre sion this summer, but the Tigers didnt skip a beat. Sophomore Jeremy Johnson completed 12 of 16 pa ses for 243 yards and two touchdowns in the opening 30 minutes.With Marshall running the offense in the second half, Auburn looked like the team that dominated opponents late last season. Malzahns fast-paced scheme piled up 234 second half rushing yards 302 for the game and the Razorbacks, like Mi souri, Alabama and even Blank Jersey Florida State at the end of 2013, could do little to stop it.Scary thought for opponents: Auburn's 595 yards is its sixth-most against an SEC opponent. It was until the sixth game of the season last year when Johnson filled in for an injured Marshall that Auburn reached 500 yards of total offense in a single game.Having Marshall (and Johnson) in the system last year we've all been reminded that this is the first time Malzahn has had a returning starter at quarterback obviously makes a difference."The first half we got stuck on third downs," Malzahn said. "Jeremy did an outstanding job. The way he handled himself was really nice. We put Nick in Edwin Encarnacion Jersey the second half and he did some really good things, both running and pa sing. Overall I am just proud of our team."Cameron Artis-Payne, getting first shot at replacing 2013 Heisman finalist Tre Mason, gained 177 yards on 26 carries and Corey Grant added 87 yards on 10 totes.But it was the defense in the second half that will be talked about Sunday. A year after surrendering 420.7 yards Yan Gomes Jersey per game, Auburn allowed 328 total yards Saturday. By comparison, the Tigers only held twoteams to fewer yards last season Western Carolina and Florida Atlantic. Tenne see (354 yards) was the only Power 5 team to not reach 400 yards against the Tigers.Auburns offense is good enough to score with any team in the country. But if Auburn quits giving up lots of points, it makes Malzahns offense that much better.