AUBURN - The Auburn football team continued to get ready for Thursday’s Southeastern Conference opener at Mississippi State with a two-hour practice in shoulder pads and shorts Monday at the Athletics Complex practice fields.

On what is typically an off-day for the team, the Tigers had a busy Labor Day as they hustle to prepare for Thursday’s game just five days after opening the season with a 52-26 victory over Arkansas State.

Monday’s practice opened with special teams work, before the players broke into position groups for individual drills. Much of the rest of practice focused on scout team preparation, with more special teams included as well.

Following practice, offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn said that the Auburn offense will face a tough test against a Mississippi State defense that allowed only 237 yards, including just 41 on the ground, in a season-opening 49-7 victory over Memphis.

“They’re very aggressive,” said Malzahn of the Bulldogs. “They really fly around to the ball. They put a lot of pressure on the offense, there’s no doubt about that.”

Junior safety Charles Mitchell led the Bulldog defense against Memphis, collecting a team-high nine tackles. Senior linebacker Chris White added six tackles, including 2.5 for losses, while senior cornerback Maurice Langston intercepted a pair of passes.

Auburn will return to the practice fields Tuesday at 5 p.m. CT.
Thursday’s game at Mississippi State will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and will be televised by ESPN.