A fresh new voice!

Dogs Begin Two-a-Day Work, Pick Up Practice Tempo

August 9, 2010

STARKVILLE – After beginning the fall practice with the customary five-day, NCAA mandated acclimation period, head coach Dan Mullen put his team through its first two-a-day here on Monday.

The Bulldogs began the day with an early morning workout down on the farm, working in full pads and focusing mainly on first down situations. The head coach declared the defense victorious during the first session of the day.

“We have a real heavy emphasis on the run game in the morning with first down and play action work,” Mullen said. “I’d give the defense the edge in this morning’s practice.”

The team headed back out to South Farm in the afternoon, but thunderstorms around the area delayed practice for nearly an hour. Although the temperatures were down from the morning workout, the intensity stayed up for the entire practice.

The second session of the day saw the Bulldogs in half pads (shoulder pads and helmets only) and a focus more on the passing game. Each side provided some big plays throughout the workout, and the head coach seemed pleased with the effort from all involved as the pace of practice was noticeably accelerated compared to last week.

State returns to a one-practice schedule on Tuesday, with a morning workout and meetings in the afternoon. The next scheduled two-a-day is on Wednesday.

The Bulldogs open their 2010 campaign on Sept. 4 against Memphis. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ESPNU.