CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Bulldogs just needed one more stop and they were in business.
Wake Forest led 36-29 late in the fourth quarter, whiffing on a chance to take a 10-point advantage on a blocked PAT returned for two points. Quarterback Kamario Taylor and the offense couldn’t convert on their next possession to tie the game, but the MSU defense was on the verge of getting them the ball back just before the two minute warning.
On third down, Wake Forest quarterback Robby Ashford found running back Ty Clark for a shovel pass, and he was gone. He galloped untouched right through the heart of the MSU defense, into acres of space for the dagger touchdown.
Once again, it was a case of a play too far for a Bulldog team that constantly fell short in key moments during the 2025 season.
As is often the case, it wasn’t just one moment that doomed MSU to its eighth loss of the season. It began with lapses in all three phases early on, including a 100-yard kick return on the first possession for the Demon Deacons and a series of drives where the Bulldogs had to settle for field goals.
“Frustrating moments,” head coach Jeff Lebby said when asked of . To hit on the explosive right out of the gate, but not finish the way we needed to on that drive, kick a field goal. We miss hit a kick, it’s a low liner, and we don’t win. Regardless of where he catches it, we need to get the guy on the ground. That’s the reality of it.”
The offense underachieved in the first half, falling short in the red zone and failing to win in short-yardage situations. It simply wasn’t the showcase the playcaller head coach was hoping for his unit. Despite positive play from his seniors and younger guys alike, including true freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor, the offense didn’t seize the momentum when it was their for the taking.
“I felt like we had the ability to get away a little bit and take some control in the first half, but we were kicking field goals and not finding ways to score touchdowns.”
The bowl game was greeted by Lebby and the Bulldogs as an opportunity to carry positive momentum into the offseason. It was a surprise bid, given MSU’s 5-7 regular season record, so perhaps it shouldn’t have been a surprise when the team again fell short of its goals on the day.
The team seemingly avoided total disaster, with Lebby giving a positive response when asked about the initial prognosis of Taylor after going down injured late in the game. The freshman took a lower leg hit and was carted off the field in tears, but was walking on his own after the game.
In terms of the team handling situational football in turning point moments, it’s something Lebby is all too aware of after a 1-7 SEC campaign. He has a chance to address the personnel side of it in the transfer portal over the next two weeks, and he wants guys who can help change the culture.
“As we’re targeting the right guys, it’s got to be the right people,” Lebby said of changing the mindset in the key moments. “They’ve got to be good enough to go play at a really high level in this league and we’ve got to have guys that understand how to win.”
The Bulldogs felt positive going into the bowl because of the opportunity to showcase the team’s bright young players under the lights. Lebby still feels positive about them, but he recognizes the task he has in changing the culture of a program that now has three consecutive losing seasons.
“I like our young players on our roster. Those guys are guys to be incredibly excited about, at a lot of different spots, who have great mentality,” Lebby said. “As we continue to build and add pieces to the roster, I want them to come from places that understand how to win.”
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