On a chilly Friday night at Bank of America Stadium, the Duke’s Mayo Bowl delivered a cocktail of explosive plays, a frantic comeback attempt, and ultimately, a somber finale for Mississippi State.
Despite a valiant second-half surge led by freshman phenom Kamario Taylor, the Mississippi State Bulldogs (5-8) fell 43-29 to the Wake Forest Demon Deacons (9-4). However, the final score felt secondary in the closing moments as Taylor, the centerpiece of State’s future, was carted off the field with a towel over his head following a devastating leg injury.
The injury occurred with just 1:52 remaining in the game. As Taylor scrambled to keep a late drive alive, he was hit low on a tackle and immediately clutched his lower left leg. The stadium fell silent as the training staff signaled for the cart, ending a night where Taylor had nearly willed the Bulldogs back from the brink.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half belonged almost entirely to Wake Forest and quarterback Robby Ashford. After an early Kyle Ferrie field goal put State up 3-0, Wake’s Koredell Bartley immediately shifted the momentum with a 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Ashford then began to dismantle the Bulldogs’ secondary, finding Kamrean Johnson for a 14-yard score to take a 15-9 lead into the locker room.
The Demon Deacons appeared to put the game away early in the third quarter when Ashford connected with Jack Foley for a 64-yard touchdown. Following an Ashford rushing touchdown, the Bulldogs found themselves staring at a daunting 30-12 deficit.
The Comeback Trail
Refusing to go quietly, Taylor took over. Late in the third quarter, he engineered an 8-play, 65-yard drive, capping it with a 1-yard touchdown run and a successful two-point conversion to Seydou Traore.
The momentum swung violently in the fourth when Taylor launched a 42-yard bomb to Sanfrisco Magee, cutting the lead to 30-27. The Bulldogs’ sideline was electric, and the Charlotte crowd sensed an all-time comeback.
Wake Forest responded with a grinding 6-minute drive resulting in another Ashford touchdown run. In a bizarre sequence, the PAT was blocked and returned by State’s Kelley Jones for a defensive two-point conversion, keeping the Bulldogs within two scores at 36-29.
The Final Blow
Any hopes of a miracle were dashed when Ashford found Ty Clark III for a 62-yard dagger with 2:15 remaining, extending the lead to 43-29. On the ensuing possession, the injury to Taylor occurred, forcing backup Luke Kromenhoek into the game to finish the final two minutes.
By the Numbers
Wake Forest outgained Mississippi State 513 to 418 in total yardage. Ashford was the undisputed star for the Deacons, accounting for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). Mississippi State kicker Kyle Ferrie was a bright spot early, connecting on three field goals, including a 50-yarder.
While the Demon Deacons celebrate a 9 win season and a mayo bath for head coach Jake Dickert, the Bulldogs head back to Starkville with heavy hearts, awaiting news on the severity of their young quarterback’s injury.
