Jan 2, 2026; Charlotte, NC, USA; Wake Forest Demon Deacons quarterback Robby Ashford (2) runs a keeper chased by Mississippi State Bulldogs linebacker Turner Reeves (48) through the first quarter at Financial institution of America Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Pictures Robby Ashford handed for 303 yards and three touchdowns and likewise rushed for 2 touchdowns to steer Wake Forest to a 43-29 victory over Mississippi State on Friday evening within the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.
Ashford, who earned MVP honors, accomplished 20 of 33 passes with one interception and rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries for the Demon Deacons (9-4). It’s simply the fourth time in program historical past that Wake Forest have received 9 or extra video games in a season.
Ty Clark III had a landing reception whereas recording 164 scrimmage yards (91 speeding, 73 receiving) for the Demon Deacons. Kamrean Johnson and Jack Foley additionally had scoring receptions and Koredell Bartley returned a kickoff for a rating for Wake Forest.
Kamario Taylor accomplished 13 of twenty-two passes for 241 yards and one landing and added 63 yards and a rating on 18 carries for the Bulldogs (5-8). Taylor was carted off the sphere with 1:52 remaining with a doubtlessly critical left lower-leg damage.
Taylor was the quarterback as a consequence of Blake Shapen opting out to organize for the NFL draft.
Sanfrisco Magee caught a landing move and Kyle Ferrie kicked 4 area objectives for Mississippi State.
Mississippi State obtained a bowl berth regardless of its shedding report due to a scarcity of obtainable groups as a consequence of Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State opting out and a number of other different colleges reportedly declining invites.
The Bulldogs trailed by 18 late within the third quarter earlier than making a cost.
Taylor scored on a 1-yard run after which tossed a two-point conversion move to Seydou Traore to finish the third quarter as Mississippi State moved inside 30-20.
The following time the Bulldogs had possession, Magee caught a 42-yard scoring move from Taylor as Mississippi State moved inside three.
Ashford scored from the 1 for a 36-27 Wake Forest lead with 4:07 left. However Neaveh Sanders blocked the additional level and Kelley Jones scooped up the ball and raced 86 yards for the defensive two-point conversion to depart the Bulldogs down seven.
The Demon Deacons acquired the sealing rating when Ashford despatched a third-down shovel move to Clark, who noticed an enormous gap and raced for a 62-yard landing to make it 43-29 with 2:15 remaining.
Wake Forest opened the third quarter with a three-play, 75-yard landing drive to spice up their six-point halftime result in 23-9.
Ashford threw an extended move to Foley, who turned the 64-yard play into his first school rating. Ashford then added a two-point conversion run.
After Ferrie kicked a 36-yard area aim to deliver the Bulldogs inside 11, Ashford scored on a 2-yard run to present the Demon Deacons a 30-12 benefit with 4:19 left within the third.
With Wake Forest trailing 3-0, Bartley fielded the kickoff on the aim line, was within the clear at his personal 40 and completed off the 100-yard return with 12:33 left within the opening interval. Wake Forest transformed a two-point conversion when Sawyer Racanelli lofted the move over the road to Eni Falayi.
–Area Degree Media
