NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Three days before their TransPerfect Music City Bowl matchup with Maryland, the Auburn Tigers practiced Wednesday afternoon at Vanderbilt University.
"We had good meeting this morning," Auburn coach Hugh Freeze said during a sunny pre-practice visit with reporters. "I like our kids' attention. We've got to play some young kids, particularly in the secondary with ours moving on to the NFL and other things. I'm excited to see how they perform in this.
"It's a really quality team we're playing. Coach Locksley has done a really nice job. I'm anxious to see how we practice today and hopefully we have good energy and execution."
Wednesday's two-hour workout created déjà vu for jack linebacker Elijah McAllister, a two-time captain at Vandy who earned bachelor's and master's degree there before transferring to Auburn and being elected as a team captain this season.
"It feels amazing to finish my college career in the place where I started it," McAllister said. "We came here for the whole week to build this team, to create that true community, but the main thing is to win the game. We're tailoring our focus to Saturday but also bonding together throughout this whole week."
After practice both teams met downtown at Wildhorse Saloon for dinner and some friendly competitions before Saturday's showdown.
"Balance is everything," McAllister said. "We do a good job with this team focusing on what we need to focus on but also being for each other and learning more about each other."
Captain's log: Elijah McAllister concludes his college career where it began, practicing at Vanderbilt
Fellow captains Payton Thorne, tight end Luke Deal and offensive lineman Kam Stutts also spoke to reporters before practice, with Thorne thrilled to be back on the field after missing most of Auburn's pre-Christmas campus workouts because of illness.
"I'm feeling pretty good," Auburn's quarterback said. "I don't think that'll be an issue moving forward. We're here to win a football game. This isn't vacation. We'll have a good time but we're here to play a game."
"We're excited to get on this field and get some work in," said Deal, who announced this month that he intends to return for the 2024 season. "We worked back in Auburn but it's always a different feel when you get to the site. It's been a fun experience but we're ready to get after it."
With some players opting out to prepare for the NFL Draft and others moving on after the Iron Bowl via the transfer portal, Auburn fans will see some fresh faces on the field Saturday, especially in the secondary and at receiver.
"Go out there and enjoy yourself," Stutts said. "Take advantage of the opportunity. Don't take anything for granted. Give your best and put a good product on the field for Auburn and show out."
Auburn will practice again at Vandy on Thursday before a walkthrough Friday and an early curfew ahead of Saturday's 1 p.m. CT kickoff at Nissan Stadium.
Here's the Deal: Auburn captain Luke Deal works out Wednesday in Nashville
"Excited to see how they perform."@AuburnFootball practiced Wednesday afternoon in Nashville at Vanderbilt.
— Jeff Shearer (@jeff_shearer) December 27, 2023
Tigers play Maryland Saturday in @MusicCityBowl @CoachHughFreeze talks to reporters before practice ⤵️#WarEagle pic.twitter.com/FW91RAbnF6
Jeff Shearer is a Senior Writer at AuburnTigers.com. Follow him on Twitter: @jeff_shearer