College Sports

Wake Forest, Mississippi State to clash in annual Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte

DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Robby Ashford #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 29: Quarterback Robby Ashford #2 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) Getty Images
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  • Wake Forest and Mississippi State will meet in the Duke's Mayo Bowl Jan. 2.
  • Wake Forest enters 8-4 under coach Jake Dickert; Ashford and Claiborne lead offense.
  • Mississippi State is 5-7; Shapen passes, Thompson stretches field.

The Wake Forest Demon Deacons and Mississippi State Bulldogs will clash in the annual Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on Friday, Jan. 2.

The Charlotte Sports Foundation announced the annual matchup on Sunday. The 24th annual bowl game will kick off at 8 p.m. on Mint Street.

Wake Forest finished the regular season with an 8-4 record. Led by first-year head coach Jake Dickert, quarterback Robby Ashford threw for 2,169 yards, nine touchdowns and seven interceptions during the regular season. Running back Demond Claiborne rushed for 907 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 28 passes for 140 yards.

Wake Forest Demon Decons quarterback Robby Ashford looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images)
Wake Forest Demon Decons quarterback Robby Ashford looks to pass during the first half of the game against the Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 29, 2025 in Durham, North Carolina. (Photo by Alex Halloway/Getty Images) Alex Halloway Getty Images

Mississippi State, led by head coach Jeff Lebby, went 5-7 this season. Quarterback Blake Shapen threw for 2,433 yards, 15 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Running back Fluff Bothwell picked up 639 yards and six touchdowns on the ground. Wideout Brenen Thompson led the team with 53 receptions for 948 yards and six touchdowns, while averaging 17.9 yards per reception.

Tickets to the SEC vs. ACC clash are available on Ticketmaster, according to a release from the Charlotte Sports Foundation.

Last year, the Minnesota Golden Gophers defeated the Virginia Tech Hokies, 24-10, in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.

Mike Kaye
The Charlotte Observer
Mike Kaye writes about the Carolina Panthers for The Charlotte Observer. He also co-hosts “Processing Blue: A Panthers Podcast” for The Observer. Kaye’s work in columns/analysis and sports feature writing has been honored by the North Carolina Press Association (NCPA). His reporting has also received recognition from the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).Kaye previously covered the entire NFL for Pro Football Network, the Philadelphia Eagles for NJ Advance Media and the Jacksonville Jaguars for First Coast News. Support my work with a digital subscription
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