There were a lot of big dudes in uniform today at Mississippi State’s eighth spring football practice. On the sidelines.

The Bulldogs hosted several law enforcement officers, and judging by the turnout, I probably could’ve knocked over a Piggly Wiggly without repercussions. They were introduced to the team after practice, and they later all had dinner together. Nice to see football players and policemen meeting on friendly terms. Hey, these guys are fans, too.

“I think so many times people don’t get to meet our team in a personal setting,” MSU coach Dan Mullen said. “They’re going to come have dinner with us tonight, and they get to sit down and talk to them and just get the opportunity to meet our players in kind of an off-the-field personal setting.”

As for what the officers, and the rest of us, saw during today’s practice session? Another day, a little more progress, Mullen said. Not a lot of progress, as they’re pretty much pulling guys off the street to line up at receiver.

“Our two group is a walk-on quarterback, a guy who’s been on the team for three days, and I don’t even know the third kid they had out there with that. It’s just tough doing it that way.”

At least the defense looks good. Of course, could be fool’s gold there. “We’re covering and locking everybody down, but they’re going against a walk-on quarterback and all fullbacks out there, and tight ends are playing receiver for us right now,” Mullen said.

Some injury updates:

• Tight end Brandon Henderson left with a concussion. His status wasn’t immediately known.

• Mullen hopes to get tailback Christian Ducre’ (shoulder) back this week, but he won’t push him.

• Receiver Leon Berry continues to be hampered by a sore hamstring.

• Receiver O’Neal Wilder (knee) has not gotten up to speed yet. “They keep telling me he’s this world-class speed guy,” said Mullen. “I think when he builds up his strength coming off that injury, maybe he’ll get back to that.”

Quick baseball final: MSU 10, UAB 0.