STARKVILLE — Mississippi State football will play its first bowl game in three years on Friday, taking on Wake Forest in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
The Bulldogs did not earn a bowl bid the traditional way, falling short of the six-win threshold, but were well-positioned to accept a bid after a series of opt-outs by other programs.
Several teams with winning records, such as Iowa State and Kansas State, suddenly experienced coaching changes and were unable to keep teams and staff together for the postseason. Several programs, including MSU, have already had players opt out in preparation for the transfer portal, and Notre Dame withdrew itself from bowl consideration entirely after missing out on the College Football Playoff.
It’s a time of change in the sport with the significance of bowls undergoing change as well, but MSU is taking it as a valuable opportunity to build on postseason momentum.
“Our guys have had great energy,” head coach Jeff Lebby said. “I think it was really good, got away for a couple of days to be able to spend time with families for Christmas, and as we got back into the building last night, team meeting, a walkthrough, team dinner. Guys are operating with some urgency and excited about the opportunity.”
The Bulldogs weren’t expecting a bowl opportunity when the program began implementing staff changes after the Egg Bowl. A successful early signing day and the return of Zach Arnett as defensive coordinator was followed by the surprise bid to the Mayo Bowl, and those moves only added to the excitement for the future with rising star quarterback Kamario Taylor.
The true freshman was named the starter for the first time in the Egg Bowl, and showcased his talent with two touchdowns and more than 300 total yards of offense in a 38-19 loss. Now he gets a chance to continue his development with several other classmates on the rise.
“I think there’s been great development in the weight room, 15 extra lifts that we wouldn’t have been able to get as a team,” Lebby said. “All the extra meetings, but the reps on the field, and guys like Kamario, but some of these young guys like Gracen Harris, Frisco (Magee) and Bull Mitchell, that you didn’t see get a lot of work, they’ve gotten a ton of work, and they’ve shown up.”
Three incoming early enrollees from the latest signing class have also been in the building ahead of the bowl game. Bralan Womack, Zayion Cotton and Micah Nickerson have all been able to hit the practice field since signing with the Bulldogs, though they will not be eligible for the game itself.
For many players, the bowl will be a new experience, but it’s a bit more than that. For the players returning next year, it’s a chance to give the team a fresh start in 2026. For the players who are graduating, it’s a chance to end their careers on a positive note.
“That was the message last night: ‘Go end this thing the right way,’” Lebby said. “We’ve got this great opportunity. I told these guys, we’ve got a great chance, and we’ve got a choice to make in how we do what we do as we get ready to play.”
The team is in Charlotte for the beginning of festivities today, with players and coaches getting an opportunity to drive a few laps around Charlotte Motor Speedway. Both teams will take part in a charity event tomorrow, packing food for children in need at the Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina before shifting focus Thursday to the game itself.
Lebby encouraged his team to embrace the experience, even as the rest of college football moves quickly. The transfer portal opens on Friday, meaning several personnel decisions and recruiting responsibilities await the staff from the moment the game ends, but there is still a task at hand for the team to tackle.
“I want our guys to have a great experience, I want them to enjoy it,” Lebby said. “It’s huge to be able to do this for a bunch of guys that hadn’t gotten to experience some of these things, but at the same time, understanding that January 2 at 8 o’clock, we need to go play well and find a way to win.”
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