Contact: Mel Thurlow

STARKVILLE, Miss.—The Southeastern Conference is well known for fierce competition among its outstanding athletics programs. With a higher concentration of veterinary colleges than any other conference in the country, the SEC also has proven itself as a leader in advancing animal health and well-being.

In a tradition established in 2013 by former MSU Head Football Coach Jackie Sherrill, the MSU College of Veterinary Medicine and the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences are competing this weekend for the 2018 Dog Bowl: A Taste of Victory, with a trophy for the winner. Sherrill, who also coached at Texas A&M, worked with the administrators and faculty at both veterinary colleges to organize the annual event, which represents the two colleges’ partnership in sports and veterinary medicine.

MSU CVM Dean Kent Hoblet said while the winner of the Dog Bowl is determined by which university wins the rivals’ Oct. 27 football game in MSU’s Davis Wade Stadium, the event gives both institutions’ vet med colleges a chance to highlight their individual and joint achievements.

“Texas A&M has an outstanding veterinary medical program, as do we here at MSU,” Hoblet said. “This event is about recognizing the partnership we’ve shared over the years and embracing the opportunity to collaborate even more.”

According to Sherrill, Texas A&M CVM Dean Eleanor Green was on MSU’s faculty earlier in her career, and with the universities' commonalities, especially the veterinary colleges and the canine mascots, the Dog Bowl competition is a natural opportunity.

“Mississippi State and Texas A&M are similar in many ways, and this competition is a fun way to promote these similarities and the accomplishments of both schools,” Sherrill said.

Green said both SEC schools have many things in common, including canine mascots who receive superb care from each of their respective veterinary teaching hospitals. MSU Mascot Bully XXI, commonly referred to as “Jak,” and Texas A&M Mascot Reveille IX, commonly referred to as “Miss Rev,” will be on the sidelines for Saturday’s game.

“Our loyal fan bases embrace this fun and fitting competition,” she said. “As for where the Dog Bowl trophy will end up this year, we’ll just have to wait and see!”

For more gameday details, visit www.hailstate.com/gameday.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.