The second year of the Dan Mullen era at Mississippi State gets underway tonight at Davis Wade Stadium when the Bulldogs host Memphis. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and the game will be televised by ESPNU.

Mullen told an audience at his weekly radio show in Starkville Thursday that his team ready to get started.

“We’re ready to get on the field,” Mullen said. “We’re excited about the season opener. All through the off-season, spring and training camp, we’ve prepared to get here and now, we’re about to get on the field.”

The Bulldogs went 5-7 in Mullen’s first season in Starkville. The campaign concluded with a satisfying 41-27 rout of Ole Miss in Starkville for the annual Egg Bowl bragging rights.

Mullen feels the Bulldogs have plenty of positive carryover.

“Last year at this time, the guys didn’t know what to expect,” Mullen said. “I think now, they are comfortable about our weekly routine from Friday’s walkthrough, going to the team motel, Friday’s meal and then on to gameday. A big key for us was that we stayed healthy through training camp, and now, we’re ready to go.”

Mullen said that the Bulldogs will have to overcome early-season mistakes because of the team’s relative youth.

“We’re still a young football team,” Mullen said. “Of our top 50 guys, only 11 are seniors.”

Memphis is young too, and has a new coach making his debut, former LSU assistant coach Larry Porter. Vicksburg native and former Southern Miss defensive coordinator Jay Hopson will run Porter’s defense. Hopson spent the past two seasons as a linebackers coach at Michigan under Rich Rodriguez.

The Tigers will have Miami transfer quarterback Cannon Smith run the offense. Their best returning player is a former Bulldog, linebacker Jamon Hughes. Hughes, a Rolling Fork native, led Memphis in tackles last season with 87. He is one of two former Bulldogs on the Memphis roster along with former Vicksburg High star and Mississippi State receiver Delmon Robinson, who is expected to dress as well.

The Bulldogs will be led by quarterback Chris Relf and an experienced offensive line with four returning starters. Center J.C. Brignone, left tackle Derek Sherrod, and left guard Quentin Saulsberry are two-year starters. Right tackle Addison Lawrence started all 12 games last year.

Gone from last year’s team is tailback Anthony Dixon, who won the Conerly Trophy and is now a rookie with the San Francisco 49ers. Mullen said Thursday the Bulldogs will play three tailbacks.

“Robert Elliott will start, but all three of our backs will play,” Mullen said. “LaDarius Perkins has shown a lot of explosiveness in camp and Vick Ballard has been solid.”

Defensively, the Bulldogs will rely on three senior linebackers: Emmanuel Gatling, Chris White and K.J. Wright. Pernell McPhee, a senior defensive end, is one of the Bulldog captains. State will also start two faces familiar to Warren County football fans, Yazoo City defensive tackle Fletcher Cox and Provine’s Nickoe Whitley, who will start at free safety.