Sherrill’s Bulldogs Rule State : SEC: Running of seniors Bouie and Davis leads Mississippi State over Mississippi, 21-17.

With two bruising 6-foot-1, 220-pound running backs, Coach Jackie Sherrill had no problem determining No. 19 Mississippi State’s game plan against Mississippi.

“We felt if we could keep the contest a muscle game instead of a finesse game then we would have a strong chance of winning,” Sherrill said.

The ball was handed play after play to seniors Kevin Bouie and Michael Davis, who combined for 280 yards as State beat Ole Miss, 21-17, Saturday in the fog at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Miss.

Bouie ran 27 times for 141 yards and scored twice on one-yard runs. Davis had 24 carries and 139 yards and a four-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

“Both of their backs were great players and both should be in the pros,” said Ole Miss interim coach Joe Lee Dunn, who also is the defensive coordinator. “That is the best team that Mississippi State has had since I’ve been here.”

Mississippi State, 8-3 overall and 5-3 in the Southeastern Conference, is assured its third bowl game in four seasons under Sherrill. The Bulldogs are likely headed to the Peach or Gator.

Ole Miss (4-7, 2-6), placed on four years’ NCAA probation a week prior to the State game, lost six of its last eight games.

All the points were scored in the second quarter when the teams traded scores on seven possessions in a row.