During fall camp, Auburn ran into some trouble with COVID-19. The Tigers are now rending in the right direction heading into their season-opener against Kentucky.

“We didn’t have any positive tests this week, which was great,” Malzahn told reporters Friday.

The positive update comes one week after Auburn reported two new positive cases that resulted in 10 total players, including five starters, going into quarantine and unable to practice, as reported by AL.com.

Eight players still remain in quarantine and will not be participating in Saturday’s practice at Jordan-Hare Stadium, but will be available by Tuesday according to Malzahn.

While the current availability numbers are encouraging, it’s unclear if time missed due to COVID quarantines will impact play on the field come Saturday against No. 23 Kentucky.

Malzahn noted that Mark Stoops’ experienced squad presents an opening-week challenge.

“Kentucky is a veteran team, especially up front,” Malzahn told reporters. ‘Not going through spring and all that goes with it, I think the veteran teams have an advantage. Our guys watching film can tell they are very good.”

The Auburn-Kentucky game is set for an 11 a.m. CT kickoff and will air on the SEC Network.