TAMPA, Fla. – The Auburn football team reported to Tampa Thursday afternoon and returned to the practice fields Friday morning after a five-day break for the holidays. The Tigers worked for 18 periods under partly cloudy skies and pleasant temperatures in the mid-70s.
"It was a really good practice," Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn said. "The players were excited to be out here. The bowl has been great so far. Obviously we've been here before and knew what to expect. The first day was really good."
The Tigers' practice site at the University of Tampa was a familiar spot for Malzahn. It was Auburn's practice location a decade ago when he was a first-year offensive coordinator under then head coach Gene Chizik.
Auburn will conduct three more practices at the site before a visit to Raymond James Stadium on the eve of the Outback Bowl.
A deep and talented senior class of 25 will be looking to win 10 games for the second time in their tenure on the Plains. It would mark the first time since the 2013 season that an Auburn senior class has won 10 or more games twice in their careers. The 2013 seniors won a national championship as freshmen (14 wins) and played for another (12 wins) in 2013.
"It was real important for them to finish this thing (and play in the bowl game)," Malzahn said. "We have a chance to win 10 games, which with the schedule we've had would be a good season. They're excited to be out here one last time with their teammates. They're playing a really quality team that won 10 games and had a very good season. That's motivation right there. Our four leaders have done a real good job leading all year."
The Tigers will face a 10-win Minnesota team from the Big Ten that possesses a balanced attack. The Golden Gophers enter the game averaging 34.3 points per game on offense, while allowing 22.4 on defense. They along with LSU are the only two programs in FBS to have a 1,000-yard rusher and two 1,000-yard receivers this season.
Following practice, 12 of Auburn's leaders along with members of the Minnesota team visited patients at Tampa General Hospital. Both teams will participate in a team bowling outing on Friday evening. Malzahn along with Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck will visit with members of the media Saturday at a joint head coach press conference following practice.
Auburn and Minnesota will face off in the 34th Outback Bowl on Wednesday, January 1 at 1 p.m. ET at Raymond James Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPN.