![\"NCAA](\"https:\/\/images.deadspin.com\/tr:w-900\/27921558.jpg\")
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) during the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images <\/span><\/div>\n<\/section>\nRobby Ashford passed for 303 yards and three touchdowns and also rushed for two touchdowns to lead Wake Forest to a 43-29 victory over Mississippi State on Friday night in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Charlotte, N.C.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ashford, who earned MVP honors, completed 20 of 33 passes with one interception and rushed for 50 yards on 14 carries for the Demon Deacons (9-4). It is just the fourth time in program history that Wake Forest have won nine or more games in a season.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ty Clark III had a touchdown reception while recording 164 scrimmage yards (91 rushing, 73 receiving) for the Demon Deacons. Kamrean Johnson and Jack Foley also had scoring receptions and Koredell Bartley returned a kickoff for a score for Wake Forest.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Kamario Taylor completed 13 of 22 passes for 241 yards and one touchdown and added 63 yards and a score on 18 carries for the Bulldogs (5-8). Taylor was carted off the field with 1:52 remaining with a potentially serious left lower-leg injury.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Taylor was the quarterback due to Blake Shapen opting out to prepare for the NFL draft.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Sanfrisco Magee caught a touchdown pass and Kyle Ferrie kicked four field goals for Mississippi State.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Mississippi State received a bowl berth despite its losing record because of a shortage of available teams due to Notre Dame, Iowa State and Kansas State opting out and several other schools reportedly declining invitations.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Bulldogs trailed by 18 late in the third quarter before making a charge.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n <\/p>\n Taylor scored on a 1-yard run and then tossed a two-point conversion pass to Seydou Traore to end the third quarter as Mississippi State moved within 30-20.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The next time the Bulldogs had possession, Magee caught a 42-yard scoring pass from Taylor as Mississippi State moved within three.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ashford scored from the 1 for a 36-27 Wake Forest lead with 4:07 left. But Neaveh Sanders blocked the extra point and Kelley Jones scooped up the ball and raced 86 yards for the defensive two-point conversion to leave the Bulldogs down seven.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n The Demon Deacons got the sealing score when Ashford sent a third-down shovel pass to Clark, who saw a huge hole and raced for a 62-yard touchdown to make it 43-29 with 2:15 remaining.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Wake Forest opened the third quarter with a three-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to boost their six-point halftime lead to 23-9.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n Ashford threw a long pass to Foley, who turned the 64-yard play into his first college score. Ashford then added a two-point conversion run.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n After Ferrie kicked a 36-yard field goal to bring the Bulldogs within 11, Ashford scored on a 2-yard run to give the Demon Deacons a 30-12 advantage with 4:19 left in the third.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n With Wake Forest trailing 3-0, Bartley fielded the kickoff at the goal line, was in the clear at his own 40 and finished off the 100-yard return with 12:33 left in the opening period. Wake Forest converted a two-point conversion when Sawyer Racanelli lofted the pass over the line to Eni Falayi.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n –Field Level Media<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n