Imagine the thrill of a bowl game where one team jumps out right from the start and barely hangs on for dear life—Wake Forest did just that, edging out Mississippi State 43-29 in a heart-pounding showdown at the Duke's Mayo Bowl in Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium. The Bulldogs wrapped up their 2025-26 season with a respectable 5-8 record, but this contest was anything but ordinary. But here's where it gets controversial... was Wake Forest's early aggression a masterstroke, or did Mississippi State simply fumble away opportunities that could have flipped the script? Stick with me as we break down every twist and turn, play by play, to see how it all unfolded.
Mississippi State won the coin toss to kick things off and elected to receive the ball, opting to defend the south end zone. Wake Forest's kickoff resulted in a touchback, so the Bulldogs started from their own 25-yard line. On the very first play, quarterback Kamario Taylor launched a deep pass to Brenen Thompson, who hauled it in for a massive 51-yard gain down the right sideline, putting MSU inside Wake Forest's 24-yard line. A couple of strong runs moved the chains to the 14, but then a loss on the ground and an incomplete pass stalled them. Facing third and 11 at the 15, Taylor's overthrow forced a fourth-down situation, and the Bulldogs settled for a field goal. Kicker Kyle Ferrie's 33-yard attempt sailed through, giving Mississippi State a quick 3-0 lead just two minutes into the game. Ferrie's ensuing kickoff bounced once and reached the goal line, where Koredell Bartley scooped it up and raced 100 yards for a touchdown—talk about a momentum-shifting return! The two-point conversion succeeded, flipping the score to 8-3 with 12:33 remaining in the first quarter. For newcomers to football, this kind of special teams play can change a game's entire energy, turning a defensive stop into an offensive explosion.
After another touchback, Mississippi State began their next drive. Facing fourth and 1 at their own 34, they called a timeout. Unfortunately, they punted the ball away, with Ethan Pulliam's kick landing at Wake Forest's 19-yard line. Quarterback Robby Ashford of the Demon Deacons rushed for 12 yards and a first down at the 31. A short run and an incomplete pass set up third and 8, but Mississippi State burned their second timeout due to having only 10 defenders on the field—an unusual miscue that can disrupt rhythm in ways even seasoned fans might overlook. Another incomplete pass led to a Wake Forest punt, which Brenen Thompson fair-caught at the Bulldogs' 26.
Taylor connected on first down with Ayden Williams for 21 yards. Taylor then scrambled for a first down at Wake Forest's 37. However, a 3-yard loss and another incomplete pass brought on third and 11. A short completion left them in a fourth and 6 at the 31, and Ferrie nailed a 50-yard field goal to narrow the gap to 8-6 midway through the first quarter. And this is the part most people miss—the Bulldogs were clawing back, proving that consistent field goals can keep a team in the hunt without relying on touchdowns alone.
Wake Forest started their drive from the 25 after a touchback. A pass completion and a roughing-the-passer penalty advanced the ball to Mississippi State's 44. Two runs earned a first down at the 32. Ashford escaped the pocket for a first-down run to the 17, and then he found Kamrean Johnson in the left front of the end zone for a touchdown pass. The extra point made it 15-6. For beginners, understanding penalties like roughing the passer is key—they're designed to protect quarterbacks from unnecessary hits, but they can swing momentum dramatically.
The teams exchanged punts, and Mississippi State began the next drive from their own 37. On third and 2, Taylor hit Williams for 9 yards and a first down. Then, passes to Thompson for 8 and Anthony Evans for 22 carried into the second quarter. MSU reached Wake Forest's 17 but couldn't convert a fourth-down run, turning the ball over. Wake Forest punted after failing on a third-down pass, and Thompson caught it at the Bulldogs' 39.
Taylor rushed across midfield for a first down at the 47. An illegal hands-to-the-face penalty moved the ball to the 32, netting another first down. A defensive pass interference call advanced MSU to the 17. Luke Kromenhoek replaced Taylor and drove to a first down at the 5, but the drive fizzled, leading to Ferrie's 23-yard field goal, making it 15-9 with 6:15 left before halftime.
Wake Forest began from the 25. An ineligible receiver downfield penalty pushed them back to the 20. An Ashford completion on third down got a first down at the 42, but a false start penalty reset them. Another third-down conversion moved into State territory at the 35. A third penalty triggered the two-minute warning as they faced another third down. A short completion led to a punt on fourth.
Mississippi State took over with 1:14 remaining. Taylor returned and hit Thompson for 31 yards to near midfield, but they punted again. The kick bounced into the end zone, giving Wake Forest the ball at the 20. A 23-yard completion was followed by an interception by Brylan Lanier on Ashford's next throw. The half ended on a Taylor sack, leaving Wake Forest up 15-9.
Wake Forest fair-caught the second-half kickoff. Running back Ty Clark rushed for 11 yards and a first down on the first play. From the 36, Ashford connected with Jack Foley for a 64-yard touchdown pass down the middle. Ashford ran in the two-point conversion, extending the lead to 23-9 early in the third quarter. As an example, these long-yardage plays highlight why receivers like Foley are game-changers—turning a routine drive into a score in seconds.
More punts were exchanged, and Thompson's 44-yard return on Wake's punt put MSU at Wake Forest's 33. Fullback Fluff Bothwell gained 15 yards for a first down at the 18. Losses on the ground and a sack pushed them back, but Ferrie's 36-yard field goal cut it to 23-12.
Wake Forest started from the 25. Ashford's completions and Clark's run moved to the 39. Another pass advanced to the 35, and Ashford rushed for 11 more. Three runs wore down the defense to the 9. A pass interference penalty gave a first down at the 2, and Ashford scored, making it 30-12.
The kickoff went out of bounds, so Mississippi State began at the 35. Taylor rushed for 11 yards and a first down at the 46 but exited with an injury. Kromenhoek crossed the 50, Bothwell got to the 44. Kromenhoek passed to Evans at the 4, Taylor returned, and Xavier Gayten reached the 1. Taylor scored on third down, with a two-point pass to Seydou Traore making it 30-20 as the third quarter ended.
Mississippi State's kickoff was penalized 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, and the return reached the 36. Clark ran for a first down near midfield. Ashford's pass advanced further, but a sack forced a fourth-down punt.
State started from the 16 after a fair catch. Passes and a penalty moved to Wake Forest's 48. Taylor then hit Sanfrisco Magee for 42 yards and a touchdown, narrowing it to 30-27 with 10:17 left. Here's where it gets controversial—was this the comeback of the year, or a sign that Wake Forest's defense was cracking under pressure?
Wake Forest took over at the 37. Passes and a scramble got to the 39. Clark's 12-yard run reached the 26. Ashford found Sawyer Racanelli for 25 yards to the 1, and he scored again. But the extra point was blocked by Nevaeh Sanders, and Kellee Jones returned it for a touchdown, making it 36-29 with 4:07 remaining.
A fair catch started State's drive. On fourth and 7 from the 29, a delay-of-game penalty hurt them. They punted out of bounds at the 35. On third and 7, Clark caught a pass from Ashford for a touchdown. Wake Forest led 43-29.
The final kickoff included an unsportsmanlike penalty, pushing MSU back to the 9. Taylor was injured on a sack and carted off. Kromenhoek took over but was sacked on fourth down, turning the ball over. Wake Forest knelt out the clock.
What do you think—did Wake Forest deserve this win with their explosive plays, or should Mississippi State have capitalized on their chances? Was that blocked extra point a turning point in football history, or just bad luck? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree or disagree with this interpretation! Some might argue the Bulldogs' penalties doomed them, but others say Wake's offense was simply unstoppable. Let's discuss!
