STARKVILLE, Miss - Mississippi State's 2010 Southeastern Conference kickoff against Auburn will be played on Thursday, September 9 and televised as part of ESPN's Thursday Night football package, director of athletics Greg Byrne announced today.

It will be Mississippi State's 14th appearance on the Thursday night broadcast, and the first since beginning both the 2006 and 2007 seasons with ESPN Thursday night showings. Excluding games against its in-state rival that often were played on Thanksgiving night, State has played six regular-season home games on Thursday evenings.

"This is a great opportunity to show the nation how wonderful our fans are and put on display the passion and excitement around Mississippi State football," head coach Dan Mullen said. "With the Thursday game, everybody is watching, it's the only game on, and we can show the country what Mississippi State football is all about."

The Bulldogs open the 2010 campaign with a two straight and four of its first five games at Davis Wade Stadium. State opens with Memphis on September 4 before hosting Auburn five days later.

2010 MISSISSIPPI STATE FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Sept 4, Memphis, Starkville
Sept 9, Auburn, Starkville
Sept 18, LSU, Baton Rouge
Sept 25, Georgia, Starkville
Oct 2, Alcorn State, Starkville
Oct 9, Houston, Houston, TX
Oct 16, Florida, Gainesville, FL
Oct 23, UAB, Starkville
Oct 30, Kentucky, Starkville
Nov 13, Alabama, Tuscaloosa, AL
Nov 20, Arkansas, Starkville
Nov 27, Ole Miss, Oxford, MS