Did you know the longest touchdown in college football bowl history happened just yesterday? On January 2, 2026, in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium, Wake Forest kick returner Koredell Bartley took a kickoff 100 yards to the house—setting a new bowl record and igniting the Demon Deacons’ dominant performance.
Final Score: Wake Forest 43, Mississippi State 29
Wake Forest (9-4) capped a strong 2025 season with a convincing win in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, earning head coach Jake Dickert the traditional postgame mayonnaise dump. Mississippi State (5-8) showed fight but couldn’t overcome early deficits in a disappointing end to their campaign.
Score Summary by Quarter
- Q1: Wake Forest 15, Mississippi State 6
- Q2: Wake Forest 0, Mississippi State 3 (Halftime: 15-9)
- Q3: Wake Forest 15, Mississippi State 11 (End of Q3: 30-20)
- Q4: Wake Forest 13, Mississippi State 9
Key scoring highlights:
- Mississippi State struck first with a 33-yard field goal.
- Bartley’s immediate 100-yard kickoff return TD flipped momentum.
- Wake Forest added TDs via Robby Ashford passes (including 64 yards to Jack Foley) and rushes.
- Mississippi State rallied with a late 42-yard TD pass but fell short.
- Sealed by Ashford’s 62-yard bomb to Ty Clark III.
Turning Points
- Instant Response: Bartley’s record 100-yard return after MSU’s opening FG tied it and energized Wake Forest, leading to a 15-6 first-quarter edge.
- Third-Quarter Dominance: Ashford’s big plays extended the lead to 30-12, putting the Bulldogs in a deep hole.
- Late Drama: Mississippi State’s fourth-quarter surge narrowed it to 30-27, but a failed fake punt gave Wake prime position for another score.
- Closing Dagger: Despite a blocked PAT returned for two points by MSU, Ashford’s 62-yard TD with minutes left iced the game.
Standout Performances
- Robby Ashford (Wake Forest QB): A masterful dual-threat outing—303 passing yards, 3 TDs (including long bombs), plus 50 rushing yards and 2 rushing TDs. His 5 total scores capped a remarkable career.
- Koredell Bartley (Wake Forest KR/WR): The game-changer with his historic 100-yard return TD.
- Ty Clark III (Wake Forest RB/WR): All-purpose star with rushing and receiving yards, including the 62-yard game-sealing TD catch.
- Kamario Taylor (Mississippi State QB): Gritty effort with 241 passing yards, 63 rushing, and scores, but a late leg injury (carted off) stalled the comeback.
- Brenen Thompson (Mississippi State WR): Team-high 106 receiving yards, including early big plays.
What the Result Means for Playoff Chances
This non-CFP bowl wrapped up the 2025 season for both teams, with no direct bearing on the ongoing 12-team College Football Playoff (bracket set earlier). Neither squad contended for the playoff—Wake Forest finished unranked but achieved a solid 9-win season under first-year coach Dickert, tying for one of the program’s best marks historically. The victory provides strong momentum, recruiting boosts, and positions Wake as a potential 2026 ACC contender behind Ashford’s emergence.
For Mississippi State, the loss extends a late skid in a rebuilding year under coach Jeff Lebby. It highlights needs in defense and depth but offers optimism from young talents like Taylor. The season’s over—no playoff implications—but the bowl experience builds for future contention.
