Friday, January 2
Charlotte, N.C.
8 p.m.
Wake Forest University
9-4 , 4-4
43
vs
29
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Mississippi State
5-8 , 1-7
1st
2nd
3rd
4th
F
Wake Forest
15
0
15
13
43
Mississippi St.
6
3
11
9
29
Wake Forest Caps Nine-Win Season with Duke’s Mayo Bowl Victory
1/3/2026 12:56:00 AM | Football
The Deacs move to 5-1 against SEC opponents in bowl games in the College Football Playoff era.
CHARLOTTE , N.C. – Capping the greatest debut season by a head coach in program history, Jake Dickert's Demon Deacons became just the fourth team in school history to record nine wins, securing an emphatic 43–29 victory over Mississippi State to capture the Duke's Mayo Bowl Friday night at Bank of America Stadium.
Redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford was named MVP after securing his first career five-touchdown performance against the Bulldogs. The Hoover, Ala., native completed 20-of-33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 50 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Ty Clark III tallied a career-best 91 yards on the ground to go along with three catches for 73 yards, including a 62-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Additionally on offense, junior tight end Kamrean Johnson and freshman wide receiver Jack Foley recorded their first touchdowns of the season, with Foley's 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter marking his first career catch.
Overall, Wake Forest totaled 451 yards offensively, including 148 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Deacs were a force in the backfield all night with nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks as a team. Individually, senior defensive back Nick Andersen led Wake Forest with a season-high 12 tackles with six solo efforts and a sack.
The Demon Deacons also made big plays on special teams, as freshman Koredell Bartley took the Deacs' opening kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown. This marked the first time that Wake Forest has recorded two kickoff returns for a touchdown in the same season since 1952.
In addition, Bartley's kickoff return is tied for the longest play by a Demon Deacon in program history with Demond Claiborne's kick return last year at Miami and Alphonso Smith's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Maryland in 2007.
With the win, the Deacs have won each of their last three bowl game appearances, which is tied for the longest streak in program history (1992-2002, 2016-18).
HOW IT HAPPENED
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
STAGGERING STATISTIC
FROM COACH DICKERT
"First off, I just want to thank Duke's Mayonnaise. I want to thank the Charlotte Sports Foundation. It's just been an incredible week. Everything was first class. I thought you guys saw a really highly motivated football team who really wanted to go out there and finish this thing off the right way. We had an opportunity to keep our focus right and be 1-0. Just like our whole season, this game wasn't pretty. There were some highs and lows. Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot, but our guys are really resilient. I'm really proud of our seniors. I'm really proud of the youth of our football team. I just think back to a year ago today when we actually had our first portal visits. We brought in over 40 new players. The guys that were here accepted everything that we wanted to do. I think we laid a tremendous foundation. Nine wins is really special and I'm proud of these guys."
UP NEXT
The 2026 home schedule features marquee ACC matchups against Duke, Miami, Stanford and Virginia, along with Opening Night vs. Akron on September 3 and Merrimack on November 7. The special Built in the Dark package seats are available in Sections 1 and 10 (rows FFF–OOO), Section 11 (rows L–CC), and Section 12 (rows F–CC), providing outstanding value and a fantastic gameday experience. Also, for our loyal season ticket holders, renew your tickets today and you'll receive a limited-edition Head Coach Jake Dickert bobblehead as a small token of our appreciation for your support of our student-athletes. The full menu of 2026 season ticket locations and pricing is available by clicking here and for your budgeting purposes, a convenient four-month payment plan is available if tickets are ordered by March 31, 2026. Finally, here's the link for information on our Annual Seat Rights Program.
Redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford was named MVP after securing his first career five-touchdown performance against the Bulldogs. The Hoover, Ala., native completed 20-of-33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns, while also adding 50 yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Sophomore running back Ty Clark III tallied a career-best 91 yards on the ground to go along with three catches for 73 yards, including a 62-yard receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Additionally on offense, junior tight end Kamrean Johnson and freshman wide receiver Jack Foley recorded their first touchdowns of the season, with Foley's 64-yard touchdown in the second quarter marking his first career catch.
Overall, Wake Forest totaled 451 yards offensively, including 148 yards on the ground.
Defensively, the Deacs were a force in the backfield all night with nine tackles-for-loss and five sacks as a team. Individually, senior defensive back Nick Andersen led Wake Forest with a season-high 12 tackles with six solo efforts and a sack.
The Demon Deacons also made big plays on special teams, as freshman Koredell Bartley took the Deacs' opening kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown. This marked the first time that Wake Forest has recorded two kickoff returns for a touchdown in the same season since 1952.
In addition, Bartley's kickoff return is tied for the longest play by a Demon Deacon in program history with Demond Claiborne's kick return last year at Miami and Alphonso Smith's 100-yard interception return for a touchdown against Maryland in 2007.
With the win, the Deacs have won each of their last three bowl game appearances, which is tied for the longest streak in program history (1992-2002, 2016-18).
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Mississippi State got on the board first with a field goal on the opening possession.
- The Demon Deacons responded immediately as freshman Koredell Bartley took the ensuing kickoff 100-yards for a touchdown.
- Wake Forest converted the two-point play as redshirt senior Sawyer Racanelli found tight end Eni Falayi on a jump pass to make it 8-3.
- This marked the second kickoff return for a touchdown of the season for the Deacs and is tied for the longest play in program history.
- Additionally, this is tied for the most kickoff returns in a season in program history and the first time since 1952.
- The Bulldogs added a field goal to make it 8-6 with 7:12 left to play in the first quarter.
- Wake Forest extended their lead on the next drive as redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford found junior Kamrean Johnson for a 14-yard touchdown pass.
- This marked Johnson's first receiving touchdown of the season.
- The Demon Deacon defense came up with a crucial fourth-down stop to keep the Bulldogs out of the end zone to start the second quarter.
- Redshirt junior Nuer Gatkuoth and redshirt freshman Frank Cusano combined on a tackle-for-loss on fourth down in the red zone.
- Mississippi State added another field goal to make it 15-9 with 6:15 remaining in the half.
- Senior Nick Andersen recorded his first sack of the game to help the Deacs keep the Bulldogs out of the end zone.
- Ashford connected with freshman Jack Foley on his first career reception for a 64-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive of the second half.
- Ashford kept it himself for a two-point conversion, putting the Demon Deacons up by 14.
- The Bulldogs tacked on a field goal at the 9:24 mark in the third quarter.
- Junior defensive lineman Dallas Afalava recorded a sack to help stall the Mississippi State drive.
- The Deacs found the end zone once again as Ashford punched it in from two yards out to extend the lead to 30-12.
- Mississippi State cut the Wake Forest lead down to 30-20 on the final play of the third quarter.
- The Bulldogs made it a three-point game with another touchdown on their next drive.
- Wake Forest responded on their next drive as Ashford found the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run for his fourth touchdown of the game.
- Mississippi State returned a blocked extra point for two points to make it 36-29.
- The Demon Deacons extended the lead to 43-29 as Ashford shoveled it to sophomore running back Ty Clark III, who took it 62-yards for a touchdown with 2:15 left to play.
- With the touchdown pass, Ashford recorded his first career touchdown five-touchdown performance.
- Wake Forest secured the 43-29 victory over Mississippi State to be crowned Duke's May Bowl Champions.
IN THE SPOTLIGHT
- The Deacs moved to 5-1 against SEC opponents in the College Football Playoff era.
- Wake Forest 43, Mississippi State 29 (Jan. 2, 2026)
- Wake Forest 6, Ole Miss 40 (Sept. 14, 2025)
- Wake Forest 36, Vanderbilt 20 (Sept. 9, 2023)
- Wake Forest 27, Missouri 17 (Dec. 23, 2022)
- Wake Forest 45, Vanderbilt 25 (Sept. 10, 2022)
- Wake Forest 55, Texas A&M 52 (2017 Belk Bowl, Dec. 29, 2017)
- Redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford was named the Most Valuable Player of the 2025 Duke's Mayo Bowl.
- The Hoover, Ala., native recorded his first career five-touchdown performance as he finished the game completing 20-of-33 pass attempts for 303 yards and three touchdowns, as well as 50 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.
STAGGERING STATISTIC
- Saturday's victory over Mississippi State secured Wake Forest's ninth victory this season. The 2025 Demon Deacons became just the fourth team in 118 years of football at Wake Forest to accomplish that feat.
- Nine-Win Seasons:
- 2025 (9-4)
- 2021 (11-3)
- 2006 (11-3)
- 2007 (9-4)
- Nine-Win Seasons:
- With the win against Mississippi State, head coach Jake Dickert earned his ninth win in his first season at Wake Forest, further cementing his status as the most wins in program history by a first-year head coach:
- T1. Jake Dickert (2025) - 9
- T1. Bill Dooley (1987) - 7
- T3. Jim Grobe (2001) - 6
- T3. Tom Rogers (1951) - 6
- T3. F.S. "Pat" Miller (1929) - 6
- T3. Hank Garrity (1923) - 6
- Additionally, he has been one of the winningest first-year head coaches in the country this season:
- 2025 FBS First-Year Head Coaches – Most Victories *
- 10 – Dan Mullen, UNLV
- 10 – Jerry Mack, Kennesaw State
- 9 – Jake Dickert, Wake Forest
- 9 – Jason Eck, New Mexico
- 9 – Charles Kelly, Jacksonville State
- 9 – Matt Entz, Fresno State
- 7 – Charles Huff, Southern Miss
- 7 – Matt Drinkall, Central Michigan
- 2025 FBS First-Year Head Coaches – Most Victories *
FROM COACH DICKERT
"First off, I just want to thank Duke's Mayonnaise. I want to thank the Charlotte Sports Foundation. It's just been an incredible week. Everything was first class. I thought you guys saw a really highly motivated football team who really wanted to go out there and finish this thing off the right way. We had an opportunity to keep our focus right and be 1-0. Just like our whole season, this game wasn't pretty. There were some highs and lows. Sometimes we shoot ourselves in the foot, but our guys are really resilient. I'm really proud of our seniors. I'm really proud of the youth of our football team. I just think back to a year ago today when we actually had our first portal visits. We brought in over 40 new players. The guys that were here accepted everything that we wanted to do. I think we laid a tremendous foundation. Nine wins is really special and I'm proud of these guys."
UP NEXT
The 2026 home schedule features marquee ACC matchups against Duke, Miami, Stanford and Virginia, along with Opening Night vs. Akron on September 3 and Merrimack on November 7. The special Built in the Dark package seats are available in Sections 1 and 10 (rows FFF–OOO), Section 11 (rows L–CC), and Section 12 (rows F–CC), providing outstanding value and a fantastic gameday experience. Also, for our loyal season ticket holders, renew your tickets today and you'll receive a limited-edition Head Coach Jake Dickert bobblehead as a small token of our appreciation for your support of our student-athletes. The full menu of 2026 season ticket locations and pricing is available by clicking here and for your budgeting purposes, a convenient four-month payment plan is available if tickets are ordered by March 31, 2026. Finally, here's the link for information on our Annual Seat Rights Program.
Team Stats
WFU
MSU
Total Yards
451
408
Pass Yards
303
294
Rushing Yards
148
114
Penalty Yards
76
60
1st Downs
23
20
3rd Downs
9
3
4th Downs
0
0
TOP
31:35
28:25
1st Quarter
.png&width=32&height=32&type=webp)
WFU 0, MSU 3
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 33 yd field goal 7 plays, 60 yards, TOP 02:05
WFU 8, MSU 3
WFU - Bartley,Koredell 100 yd kickoff return (Falayi,Eni pass)
WFU 8, MSU 6
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 50 yd field goal 6 plays, 42 yards, TOP 02:00
WFU 15, MSU 6
WFU - Johnson,Kamrean 14 yd pass from Ashford,Robby (Calvert,Connor kick) 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 03:23
2nd Quarter
WFU 15, MSU 9
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 23 yd field goal 10 plays, 56 yards, TOP 05:11
3rd Quarter
WFU 23, MSU 9
WFU - Foley,Jack 64 yd pass from Ashford,Robby (Ashford,Robby rush) 3 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:54
WFU 23, MSU 12
MSU - Ferrie,Kyle 36 yd field goal 5 plays, 15 yards, TOP 02:07
WFU 30, MSU 12
WFU - Ashford,Robby 2 yd run (Calvert,Connor kick), 11 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:05
WFU 30, MSU 20
MSU - Taylor,Kamario 1 yd run (Traore,Seydou pass), 8 plays, 65 yards, TOP 04:19
4th Quarter
WFU 30, MSU 27
MSU - Magee,Sanfrisco 42 yd pass from Taylor,Kamario (Ferrie,Kyle kick) 4 plays, 84 yards, TOP 01:09
WFU 36, MSU 27
WFU - Ashford,Robby 1 yd run ( kick), 10 plays, 63 yards, TOP 06:03
WFU 36, MSU 29
MSU - Jones,Kelley 86 yd PAT return
WFU 43, MSU 29
WFU - Clark,Ty 62 yd pass from Ashford,Robby (Calvert,Connor kick) 3 plays, 65 yards, TOP 00:20
Game Leaders
CMP
20
TD
3
YDS
303
INT
1
Players Mentioned
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/ FootballQB Robby Ashford Duke's Mayo Bowl Postgame Press Conference (Jan. 2, 2026)
Saturday, January 03
Ty Clark explodes for 62-yard touchdown
Friday, January 02
Receiving TD by Jack Foley
Friday, January 02
Robbie Ashford connects with Kamrean Johnson for TD
Friday, January 02