The fruition of being built in the dark coming to a bright light: led by game MVP Robby Ashford's 5 touchdown performance, Wake wins 43-29 and ends their season as Duke's Mayo Bowl Champions

Preview: Wake Forest Demon Deacons (8-4/4-4 in the ACC/tied for 7th in the conference) vs Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-7/1-7 in the SEC/tied for the 13th in the conference)

Game day is here, and for both Wake Forest and Mississippi State, it's an opportunity to close out the season on a positive note (click HERE for our media day coverage) in a primetime matchup (January 2, 2026 at 8pm EST) at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

While Wake is considered the road team, there's familiarity with playing in Charlotte as it's within a 80 or so mile drive from the campus (in Winston-Salem, NC). This is their 4th time playing in the bowl game (previous title sponsors are Continental Tire and Belk) as they played in 2007, 2017, and 2020 (winning 2 of their 3 appearances) in addition to the 2021 ACC Championship Game.

During the regular season, the Wake offense averaged just under 27 points per game (26.8) and generated a little under 400 yards per game of total offense (389.1 yards per game). Coming into tonight's game, the offense is looking slightly different due to a few players hitting the transfer portal and some opting out, including leading rusher Demond Claiborne (907 rushing yards/5.1 yards per carry/10 rushing touchdowns). Robby Ashford figures to be a presence in the run game (504 rushing yards/4.3 yards per carry/7 touchdowns) along with Ty Clark taking an expanded role (he averages 4.0 yard per carry, but only has 58 carries on the season). The Deacs' passing game should look different due to multiple receivers hitting the transfer portal; more eyes are expected to be on Carlos Hernandez (34 receptions/538 receiving yards/15.3 yards per catch/3 touchdowns) along with tight end Eni Falayi (19 receptions/218 receiving yards/11.5 yards per catch/2 touchdowns). The Mississippi State defense during the season allows 29.2 points per game and slightly more than 400 yards per game (405.8 yards allowed), but with Jahron Manning (the safety leads the team with 85 total tackles) and Nic Mitchell (72 total tackles and 2.5 sacks) leading the way (as the majority of their starting defense is intact), it should lead to some interesting matchups.

The same holds true for Mississippi State's offense.

The Bulldogs' offense is at the 30 point mark per game (30.5) along with averaging just under 400 yards of total offense per game (398.4 yards per game). With their leading passer not playing, Kamario Taylor is leading the offense and while he only attempted 55 during the season, his mobility (64 carries/395 yards/6.2 yards per carry/7 touchdowns) could create problems for Wake's defensive front 7 (their defensive line and linebackers). Leading rusher Fluff Bothwell (128 carries/639 rushing yards/5.0 yards per carry/6 touchdowns) adds presence and offensive balance. In the passing game, big-play receiver Brenen Thompson (53 receptions/948 yards/17.9 yards per catch/6 touchdowns) leads a receiver corps which is relatively intact compared to the Deacs. They'll compete against one of the better defenses in the country, as Wake allows 21 points per game (21.5) and a sound 321.9 yards per game. Team captain and leading tackler Nick Andersen (the safety has 95 total tackles), linebacker Davaughn Patterson (78 total tackles), and defensive end Langston Hardy (7 sacks) look to apply consistent pressure on the Bulldogs' offense.

To close out the season with a win along with the Duke's Mayo Mayonnaise Bath for the winning head coach is what makes tonight a potentially special evening for one of the teams.

Game recap: Robby Ashford leads the charge as Wake prevails for their first bowl game win and appearance since 2022.

Mississippi State starts off with the ball; Kamario Taylor wastes little time and delivers a 51-yard strike to Brenen Thompson to get the Bulldogs deep into Wake territory. However, the Deacs' defense would hold as the Bulldogs settle for a 33-yard field goal by Kyle Ferrie to take an early 3-0 lead (12:55 in the 1st quarter).

Wake would erase the deficit on the very next play thanks Koredell Bartley racing for a 100-yard kickoff return to give the Deacs the lead (6-3 at the 12:33 mark of the 1st quarter). Sawyer Racanelli would deliver a pass to tight end Eni Falayi for a 2-point conversion to make it an 8-3 score.

Mississippi State would cut into the lead with another field goal by Kyle Ferrie (7:12 in the 1st quarter) to make it a 2-point game (8-6). The Deacs would respond with a solid array of running plays, routinely getting 4 to 6 yards per run. Robby Ashford would conclude the drive with a perfectly placed 14-yard touchdown pass to Kamrean Johnson to extend the lead to 14-6; Connor Calvert's extra point gives them at 15-6 lead (the largest lead of the game at this point).

In the opening of the 2nd quarter, the Bulldogs would move inside the red zone (inside Wake's 20-yard line). On a 4th down inside the 10-yard line, their effort to go for it is thwarted by the Deacs' defense. Later in the 2nd quarter, Luke Kromenhoek would enter the game at quarterback and would drive the Bulldogs' offense inside the Wake red zone. This time, they elect to kick a field goal as Kyle Ferrie's 23-yard field goal (6:15 in the 2nd quarter) to make it a one score game (15-9).

After completing a 22-yard pass to Carlos Hernandez, Robby Ashford's next pass is intercepted by the Bulldogs' Brylan Lanier to halt any ideas of the Deacs getting a late score to close out the half (as they carry a 15-9 lead at halftime).

Wake has the opening possession in the 3rd quarter. Robby Ashford wastes little time as on the 3rd play of the possession, he delivers a 64-yard pass in stride to Jack Foley for a touchdown (14:06 in the 3rd quarter); after making a 2-point conversion, the Deacs extend their lead to 23-9. Thanks to a 44-yard punt return by Brenen Thompson (11:31 in the 3rd quarter), Mississippi State would cut away at the Wake Forest lead thanks to another field goal by Kyle Ferrie (9:24 in the 3rd quarter from 36 yards out) to close the margin to 23-12.

The Deacs would respond with an 11 play/75-yard scoring drive capped off by a 2-yard touchdown run by Robby Ashford (4:19 in the 3rd period) to give them the largest lead of game. Connor Calvert's extra point gives them a 30-12 lead. Luke Kromenhoek would re-enter the game and deliver a deep completion to Anthony Evans to get inside the 5-yard line. Kamario Taylor would re-enter the game and cap off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge to get the Bulldogs back in the game as time expires in the 3rd quarter; combined with the 2-point conversion (pass play to Seydou Traore), Mississippi State makes it a 2-score game (30-20).

At the 11:33 mark of the 4th quarter, due to the officials (from the Big 10) not enforcing a delay of game penalty against Wake (punt), they end up replaying the down/punt. Ironically, the punt lands at the same spot prior to the non-enforcement penalty (the Mississippi State 16-yard line). As a result of the off-kilter moment, the Bulldogs have new life infused in them. Culminating in a 42-yard touchdown pass from Kamario Taylor to Sanfrisco Magee, after converting the extra point, they close within 3 points of the Deacs (30-27 with 10:17 left in the 4th quarter).

Wake responds accordingly, including a Saywer Racanelli 25-yard reception sets up a 1-yard touchdown plunge by Robby Ashford to give the Deacs a 36-27 lead; however, the Bulldogs' blocked extra point results in a 2-point conversion to make it a 1-score game yet again (36-29 with 4:07 left in the 4th quarter).

A 62-yard touchdown pass to Ty Clark at the 2:15 mark of the 4th quarter along with a Connor Calvert extra point gives Wake a 43-29 lead. The Deacs close out the Bulldogs and as a result, are the Duke's Mayo Bowl Champions.

Post-game: A team picked to finish 16th out of 17th in the ACC shows what #BuiltInTheDark is all about, as Wake Forest concludes their season with 9 wins AND a bowl game championship.

It's true; coming into the season, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons are picked to finish 16th out of 17th. Clearly, they filter out the noise, focus on their mantra, and end up winning 9 games along with being a bowl game champion.

Robby Ashford is not only the team MVP (20/33 for 303 passing yards/3 touchdowns and 1 interception along with 14 carries for 50 yards and 2 touchdowns), but he and team captain Nick Andersen douse head coach Jake Dickert in the ceremonial Duke's Mayo Mayonnaise "bath" as the winning coach.

Both teams eclipse the 400 yard mark in total offense (Wake has the edge at 451 to 408 total yards), but the Deacs' overall ground game (35 rushes for 148 yards/4.2 yards per carry) is part of the reason for the win (Mississippi State has 114 rushing yards, but only has a 2.7 yards per carry average).

Ty Clark (17 carries for 91 yards along with 3 receptions for 73 yards and a touchdown) shows a glimpse of what to look for in the 2026 season. Carlos Hernandez shows his emergence in the passing game with 6 receptions for 73 yards, and Jack Foley (his lone reception is his 64-yard touchdown catch) and Kamrean Johnson (24 receiving yards and a touchdown) also contribute to the Wake win. Defensively, Nick Anderson (12 total tackles and a sack) and Dallas Afalava (1.5 sacks) lead an effort which produces 5 sacks.

Mississippi State is led by Kamario Taylor (13/22 for 241 passing yards/1 touchdown along with 63 rushing yards and a touchdown). Brenen Thompson (4 receptions for 106 yards) and Sanfrisco Magee (47 receiving yards and a touchdown) are key contributors in their offensive effort. Defensively, Jalen Smith (12 total tackles) leads the effort.

For the post-game pressor, Mississippi State head coach Jeff Lebby speaks to the team's effort along with the challenges they deal with during the season. He fields our question regarding the impact of the run game (i.e. Wake's ability to run compared to his team's efforts) along with speaking to the program's future (you may watch his response below):

Jake Dickert reflects on how nearly 1 year ago to the day being named as Wake's head coach to where they are now is truly humbling and a part of the larger process of building something special (you may watch his response to our question below):

Game MPV Robby Ashford fields our question regarding his journey along with the perspective gained this season (you may watch his response to our question below):

Once again, what is built in the dark comes to a bright and shining light for Wake Forest.

Notes: A contributor to the in-game video along with game photos (photo-grid) is credited to SB Productions. The photo-grid of post-game pressor/press conference photos is credited to Divine Touch Multimedia. You may watch our bowl game playlist (click HERE) for additional content.