Aug. 2, 2008 PHOTO GALLERY

AUBURN, Ala. - The Auburn football team opened 2008 preseason practice with a workout that lasted more than two hours Saturday morning on the Intramural Fields. The Tigers worked out in helmets and shorts during their first practice in preparation for the regular season, working on position and team drills.

Saturday's practice was the first at Auburn for 27 newcomers who reported to campus Friday, and the first of the season for the group of veterans, which includes 15 returning starters and 46 returning letterwinners.

"It was a good first day," said head coach Tommy Tuberville. "We were out here probably a little bit too long, but we wanted to look a lot more at the younger players as the day went on. We're going to try to rest tomorrow some of the starters. We have to make a decision pretty quickly on some of the younger players."

Auburn's Fan Day presented by Golden Flake was also scheduled for Saturday, with the team signing autographs and meeting fans for two hours at Beard-Eaves-Memorial Coliseum.

The team will return to the Intramural Fields Sunday, practicing at 3:45 p.m. CT. All practices on the Intramural Fields are open to the public.

"We had good effort," added Tuberville. "We're going to have good leadership, especially from the defensive side and I'm excited about that. We have to have some seniors step up and some juniors on the offensive side."

Auburn will open the 2008 season Aug. 30 when the Tigers host Louisiana-Monroe beginning at 6 p.m. CT at Pat Dye Field at Jordan-Hare Stadium.