Dec. 29, 2006

DALLAS - The 10th-ranked Auburn football team practiced for the third time in Dallas in preparation for Nebraska, spending two hours under the lights Friday in a midday workout at SMU's Gerald J. Ford Stadium.

Lights were necessitated after low clouds and rain pounded the Dallas area Friday. During practice, the team worked on scout team offense and defense for a majority of the workout with a light to heavy drizzle. As is the norm for an Auburn practice, the team spent approximately 20 minutes on special teams to open the workout, then finished it with field goal practice.

"We decided to come and do our regular routine," Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville said after the practice. "It was fine. Practices have been enthusiastic. We've gotten a lot done. Tomorrow, we'll have our last practice. It will still be a long one but there won't be near as much contact.

"Today, we had another physical practice. I didn't want that much contact, but it's hard to pull back on the players if they want to practice that hard. That's what this game is going to be about."

As Tuberville indicated, the team is scheduled for its last formal practice Saturday at SMU's stadium beginning at 2:50 p.m. CT. Then on Sunday, the Tigers will participate in a walk thru at 4 p.m. at Cotton Bowl Stadium.

After Friday's practice, approximately 50 Auburn players visited the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for a little more than an hour. The children's hospital is located in Dallas and has provided care for more than 170,000 children since its inception in 1921.

The hospital's primary focus is to care for children with orthopaedic conditions, certain neurological disorders and learning disorders, such as dyslexia. There is no charge to the patient families for treatment.

"Coming today has shown our team a lot of humility and appreciation for what they have," said Tuberville. "I am happy that we were able to come and share with the kids just what athletics means to us and that our players can portray some confidence in helping the children overcome their obstacles."

"My dream was to come and play football at Auburn," said redshirt freshman linebacker Brian Summerhill. "I came on this team as a walk on with no scholarship and that in itself should show the kids that anything they want to do in life is possible, and I just want them to know that and keep their heads up."

"This is our way of giving back to the community," stated sophomore kicker Zach Kutch. "I enjoy coming out and taking part in events like this. We love hanging out with kids and having fun with them. It brings a whole new meaning of life to us and I am glad that I was able to come and bring a smile to their face."

The Tigers will meet Nebraska Jan. 1 in the 71st annual AT&T Cotton Bowl Classic. The game kicks off at 10:40 a.m. CT at Cotton Bowl Stadium and will air live on FOX.

PHOTO GALLERY day 4