Photo by: Seth Seebaugh / Wake Forest Athletics
Broadcast Info: Duke’s Mayo Bowl vs. Mississippi State
12/31/2025 12:13:00 PM | Football
CHARLOTTE, N.C. - This Friday's bowl game marks Wake Forest Football's eighth bowl game in the last 10 seasons as the Demon Deacons take on Mississippi State at Bank of America Stadium on Friday evening.
The Wake Forest football team has made Charlotte a home away from home throughout program history. The Demon Deacons have played more games in the Queen City than any other place away from their home at Allegacy Stadium.
Four of the last 11 bowl games have come inside of Bank of America Stadium.
Wake Forest has played in the Duke's Mayo Bowl one other time, falling to Wisconsin, 42-28, in the 2020 Duke's Mayo Bowl. The Deacs are 15-12 all-time in neutral site games played in Charlotte. It snapped a three-game winning streak in the Queen City that included 2017 Belk Bowl and 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl wins.
Eight of the Deacs 18 bowl games in program history have come in the last 10 years. Wake Forest holds a 11-6 all-time mark including 5-2 in the College Football Playoff era.
The Duke's Mayo Bowl will serve as Wake Forest's fourth bowl game against an SEC opponent. The Deacons are 3-1 all-time against SEC teams including a memorable 55-52 victory over Texas A&M in the 2017 Belk Bowl in Charlotte.
This also marks the second-consecutive bowl matchup against an SEC team, defeating Missouri, 27-17, in the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl.
Wake Forest's matchup with the Bulldogs marks the second meeting in program history, and the first since the 2011 Music City Bowl.
Wake Forest forced four turnovers, its second-highest total of the season, coming on interceptions by Duran Lowe, the first of his career, and Merrill Noel, along with fumble recoveries by Nikita Whitlock and Kenny Okoro to keep the Deacons within striking distance for the entire contest.
Tanner Price completed 24 of 46 passes, tying a season high for completions, for 214 yards. Pendergrass and Tommy Bohanon supplied the two Demon Deacon touchdowns, both on the ground, coming on rushes of 14 yards and one yard, respectively. Pendergrass was the Deacons' leading rusher on the day with 73 yards on 24 attempts.
Chris Givens caught a career-high nine passes for 54 yards. Noel, Justin Jackson and Scott Betros tied for the Deacon lead with seven tackles each.
How to Watch Wake Forest – Mississippi State :
The game can be seen live on television, online, and via mobile devices, and the audio broadcast is also available in multiple formats.
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Watch: Click here
Radio: Wake Forest Learfield Sports Network (Radio Affiliates)
Pre-Game Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m.
Sirius Ch. 382 | Internet Ch. 972
Live Audio: WBRF – 98.1*All Times Eastern
Learfield Gameday Guide: Click here
Learfield Yearbook: Click here
Wake Forest Athletics App: Apple | Android
Follow on Social Media:
In addition to all the broadcast information, fans are encouraged to follow along during the game on social media.
Twitter: @WakeFB – Graphics, Photos, Highlights & Information
@DemonDeacons – Shared & Original Content and Fan Information
Facebook: Facebook.com/WakeForestFootball – Highlights, Graphics, Interviews, News & Information
Instagram: @WakeFootball – Photos & Highlights
**Check out the @WakeFootball Instagram Story for a behind-the-scenes look into gameday
GoDeacs.com: Complete Game Story with Quotes and Postgame Coverage
Hear what the Demon Deacons are saying going into the Mississippi State game on Friday:
Head Coach Jake Dickert:
"First thing is, people talk about bowl games being fun, well winning is fun. We're down here to win a game so every time we step into the media room, we step onto the field, that's what we're here to do. But last night we went to Queen Park Social, we went to the Hornets game. Sorry I'm a Bucks fan, they won, sorry. But it was awesome, families as well. We're going to get in a racecar in a little bit at the Motor Speedway. Really jacked up and excited about that if I'm being honest, I think my wife's a little nervous. But we talk about connection being our edge. There's work moments, connection moments, and earn-it moments. It's different. Duke's Mayo has been an awesome sponsor, the Charlotte Sports Federation has been incredible. I'm excited for a big week of stuff they have going, some of the service opportunities that we get throughout the week. It's a great blend, and we're excited to be here."
Senior DB Karon Prunty:
"Just knowing as far as my career, I haven't been on the most successful teams. This is the first team that's been successful that I've been a part of. I'm just happy to be a part of it, I'm just grateful. I'm not surprised because it's all I ever wanted. And I feel like I worked hard for it. You know, when you're a senior, you don't want to have any regrets or anything like that. I feel like I just did a good job of taking it day-by-day and just reminding myself, 'Don't take it for granted,' because there are a lot of people who want to be in your shoes."
Senior TE Eni Falayi:
"When we beat Virginia to get to that sixth win, I was stoked. We get in the locker room now and we're celebrating but it's like, we're used to it. It's definitely a different feeling than what I'm used to but it's all been great.You kinda look back on your journey. It's good to see where you come from and now we're at a place where everything is going pretty good, so it's definitely great this year."
The Wake Forest football team has made Charlotte a home away from home throughout program history. The Demon Deacons have played more games in the Queen City than any other place away from their home at Allegacy Stadium.
Four of the last 11 bowl games have come inside of Bank of America Stadium.
Wake Forest has played in the Duke's Mayo Bowl one other time, falling to Wisconsin, 42-28, in the 2020 Duke's Mayo Bowl. The Deacs are 15-12 all-time in neutral site games played in Charlotte. It snapped a three-game winning streak in the Queen City that included 2017 Belk Bowl and 2007 Meineke Car Care Bowl wins.
Eight of the Deacs 18 bowl games in program history have come in the last 10 years. Wake Forest holds a 11-6 all-time mark including 5-2 in the College Football Playoff era.
The Duke's Mayo Bowl will serve as Wake Forest's fourth bowl game against an SEC opponent. The Deacons are 3-1 all-time against SEC teams including a memorable 55-52 victory over Texas A&M in the 2017 Belk Bowl in Charlotte.
This also marks the second-consecutive bowl matchup against an SEC team, defeating Missouri, 27-17, in the 2022 Gasparilla Bowl.
Wake Forest's matchup with the Bulldogs marks the second meeting in program history, and the first since the 2011 Music City Bowl.
Wake Forest forced four turnovers, its second-highest total of the season, coming on interceptions by Duran Lowe, the first of his career, and Merrill Noel, along with fumble recoveries by Nikita Whitlock and Kenny Okoro to keep the Deacons within striking distance for the entire contest.
Tanner Price completed 24 of 46 passes, tying a season high for completions, for 214 yards. Pendergrass and Tommy Bohanon supplied the two Demon Deacon touchdowns, both on the ground, coming on rushes of 14 yards and one yard, respectively. Pendergrass was the Deacons' leading rusher on the day with 73 yards on 24 attempts.
Chris Givens caught a career-high nine passes for 54 yards. Noel, Justin Jackson and Scott Betros tied for the Deacon lead with seven tackles each.
How to Watch Wake Forest – Mississippi State :
The game can be seen live on television, online, and via mobile devices, and the audio broadcast is also available in multiple formats.
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN
Watch: Click here
Radio: Wake Forest Learfield Sports Network (Radio Affiliates)
Pre-Game Coverage Begins at 7:30 p.m.
Sirius Ch. 382 | Internet Ch. 972
Live Audio: WBRF – 98.1*All Times Eastern
Learfield Gameday Guide: Click here
Learfield Yearbook: Click here
Wake Forest Athletics App: Apple | Android
Follow on Social Media:
In addition to all the broadcast information, fans are encouraged to follow along during the game on social media.
Twitter: @WakeFB – Graphics, Photos, Highlights & Information
@DemonDeacons – Shared & Original Content and Fan Information
Facebook: Facebook.com/WakeForestFootball – Highlights, Graphics, Interviews, News & Information
Instagram: @WakeFootball – Photos & Highlights
**Check out the @WakeFootball Instagram Story for a behind-the-scenes look into gameday
GoDeacs.com: Complete Game Story with Quotes and Postgame Coverage
Hear what the Demon Deacons are saying going into the Mississippi State game on Friday:
Head Coach Jake Dickert:
"First thing is, people talk about bowl games being fun, well winning is fun. We're down here to win a game so every time we step into the media room, we step onto the field, that's what we're here to do. But last night we went to Queen Park Social, we went to the Hornets game. Sorry I'm a Bucks fan, they won, sorry. But it was awesome, families as well. We're going to get in a racecar in a little bit at the Motor Speedway. Really jacked up and excited about that if I'm being honest, I think my wife's a little nervous. But we talk about connection being our edge. There's work moments, connection moments, and earn-it moments. It's different. Duke's Mayo has been an awesome sponsor, the Charlotte Sports Federation has been incredible. I'm excited for a big week of stuff they have going, some of the service opportunities that we get throughout the week. It's a great blend, and we're excited to be here."
Senior DB Karon Prunty:
"Just knowing as far as my career, I haven't been on the most successful teams. This is the first team that's been successful that I've been a part of. I'm just happy to be a part of it, I'm just grateful. I'm not surprised because it's all I ever wanted. And I feel like I worked hard for it. You know, when you're a senior, you don't want to have any regrets or anything like that. I feel like I just did a good job of taking it day-by-day and just reminding myself, 'Don't take it for granted,' because there are a lot of people who want to be in your shoes."
Senior TE Eni Falayi:
"When we beat Virginia to get to that sixth win, I was stoked. We get in the locker room now and we're celebrating but it's like, we're used to it. It's definitely a different feeling than what I'm used to but it's all been great.You kinda look back on your journey. It's good to see where you come from and now we're at a place where everything is going pretty good, so it's definitely great this year."
Players Mentioned
TE
/ Football
DB
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