Rushers Joined at the Hip

Dicenzo Miller and Dontae Walker like to share.

When Mississippi State hits the road, its dynamic tailback duo shares a hotel room. During games, the backs split the workload for the No. 1 rushing offense in the Southeastern Conference.

Heading into Sunday’s Independence Bowl at Shreveport, La., against Texas A&M;, Miller and Walker have combined for 1,800 rushing yards and 21 touchdowns.

And not once has either complained about not getting top billing.

“Fortunate, these two guys are roommates. Fortunately, they like each other and fortunately they have been able to push each other,” Mississippi State Coach Jackie Sherrill said after practice at Independence Stadium. “Whoever makes a run on the field, the other one is the first one patting him on the back.”

The roommates have spent their free time this week in Shreveport matching skills in pool, video games and cards.

“We have fun,” said Miller, who ran for 1,005 yards in 160 carries to become the fifth player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard mark in rushing. Walker has run 148 times for 795 yards.

Miller, a junior, usually starts the game. The sophomore Walker said he tells his pal, “‘You have to go out there and set the tone. If you don’t go out there and set the tone, I’m going to go out there and set the tone.’ We have been competing against each other all season.”