CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Mississippi State ended the 2025 season with its fourth straight loss on Friday, falling to Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl and losing their starting quarterback to a potentially serious injury in the final minutes.
The Bulldogs (5-8) were in their first bowl since the 2022 season thanks to a series of opt outs from programs with at least six wins, but couldn’t seize the opportunity to start the new year on a positive note.
MSU struck first with a field goal on the opening drive, but the Deacons got on the board before their offense even hit the field. Koredell Bartley took a kickoff 100 yards through the heart of MSU’s kickoff unit for a touchdown, answering the early field goal with eight points after a successful two-point conversion.
The Bulldogs were able to get another drive into Wake Forest territory, but again stalled out and settled for a 50-yard field goal from Ferrie, which just made it over the bar before hitting the base of the pole.
The Bulldog defense gave up a touchdown on the following drive, but had a strong finish to the half otherwise. They began to dial up some pressure on Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford and forced an interception just before halftime, but the offense continued to stall out. A stuffed run on 4th and 1 in the red zone saw one chance pass the offense by, and they settled for a field goal on their next trip deep into enemy territory, with Kamario Taylor subbed out to deal with a small hand injury.
The Deacons received the second-half kickoff and scored a quick touchdown, with Ashford hitting Jack Foley for a 64-yard touchdown, and added another on an 11-play, 75-yard drive the next time they got the ball to establish control with a 30-12 lead.
The Bulldogs finally got on the board with Taylor reaching out over the top on third and goal as the third quarter ended. A two-point conversion on a jump pass to Seydou Traore made it 30-20, and a defensive stop afterward gave the Bulldogs a chance to make it a game late.
It was a pair of freshmen who answered the call, with Taylor finding Sanfrisco Magee for a 42-yard touchdown to make it a three-point game, but the Deacons’ offense woke up with a long drive to add another touchdown.
An extra point could have made it a two-score game, but the point-after attempt was blocked and returned by Kelley Jones, giving the Bulldogs two more points and keeping it a touchdown game.
The Bulldog offense did not take advantage and ended up punting with 2:42 left, asking the defense for one more stop, which they did not get. Ashford hit his running back Ty Clark on a shovel pass, and the back ran through an acre of space for a 62-yard score to put the game out of reach.
The Bulldogs got the ball back and started driving again, but disaster struck with Taylor going down with a lower leg injury. He took a low hit while his left leg was planted, and the medical cart came out to take him off the field.
Luke Kromenhoek came in for the desperation drive, but took a sack on fourth down to end the game.
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