If you’d told a Wake Forest fan back in August that they’d be holding a trophy in Charlotte by January, they probably would’ve laughed you out of the room. Honestly, the expectations were basement-level. Most media outlets had the Deacs pegged to finish near the very bottom of the ACC.
But football is weird.
The wake forest football score that matters most right now is 43–29. That was the final tally at Bank of America Stadium on January 2, 2026, when Wake Forest took down Mississippi State to claim the Duke’s Mayo Bowl title. It wasn’t just a win; it was a statement that the Jake Dickert era is officially ahead of schedule.
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That Mayo Bowl Score Explained (Simply)
Let’s talk about that 43–29 victory. It was a rollercoaster.
Wake jumped out early, but Mississippi State isn't exactly a pushover. The Bulldogs kept clawing back, making it a 30–27 game deep in the fourth quarter. It felt like one of those "here we go again" moments for Deac Nation. Then Robby Ashford happened.
Ashford was basically a human highlight reel. He accounted for five total touchdowns. Think about that for a second. In a bowl game against an SEC defense, he threw for over 300 yards and ran like his hair was on fire. The dagger was a 62-yard shovel pass to Ty Clark III that basically iced the game with two minutes left.
If you missed the box score, here’s how the points shook out by quarter:
- 1st Quarter: Wake 15, MSST 6 (Koredell Bartley opened with a 100-yard kickoff return return—pure insanity).
- 2nd Quarter: Wake 0, MSST 3 (A defensive slog).
- 3rd Quarter: Wake 15, MSST 11 (High drama).
- 4th Quarter: Wake 13, MSST 9 (The Ashford takeover).
What Most People Get Wrong About the 2025 Season
Most casual observers see a 9–4 record and think, "Yeah, solid year." But they're missing the context.
This was Jake Dickert’s first year at the helm. Taking over a program that felt like it was idling and immediately winning nine games is rare. It’s the winningest debut for a head coach in program history.
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People also forget the schedule wasn't a cakewalk. Sure, they missed Clemson and Miami, but they had to navigate road trips to Tallahassee and Blacksburg. They beat a ranked Virginia team on the road. They took down UNC in a 28–12 slugfest.
The losses were frustrating, no doubt. The 49–32 loss to Duke at the end of the regular season was a gut punch. It cost them a chance at a 10-win regular season and bragging rights in the Triangle. But looking back, that loss might have been the wake-up call they needed for the bowl game.
The Robby Ashford Factor
You can't talk about the wake forest football score without talking about #2.
Robby Ashford came in as a transfer with high upside and some question marks about his consistency. By January, those questions were mostly gone. He finished the season with over 20 total touchdowns.
What’s impressive isn't just the arm talent. It’s the way he navigated the spread offense Rob Ezell installed. He’s a "gamer." When the pocket collapses, he doesn't just throw it away; he makes a play. That’s the difference between a 6-win season and a 9-win season.
Why the Defense Deserves More Credit
While the offense put up 43 in the bowl, the defense under Scottie Hazelton was the backbone of the late-season surge.
- Nick Andersen: The senior was everywhere. He had a massive sack in the Mayo Bowl that stalled a Mississippi State drive when things were getting shaky.
- Dylan Hazen: A tackling machine in the middle.
- Dallas Afalava: He’s become a nightmare for opposing quarterbacks.
They aren't the biggest unit in the ACC, but they play incredibly "sticky" defense. They force field goals instead of touchdowns. Against Mississippi State, they held the Bulldogs to four field goals. That’s 12 points instead of 28. Do the math.
Looking Toward 2026: The Transfer Portal Chaos
Even though the confetti is still being swept up in Charlotte, the work hasn't stopped. Dickert and his staff were reportedly back in the office the morning after the bowl game hitting the portal.
We’ve already seen some big moves.
- Sydir Mitchell: A 355-pound defensive tackle coming in from LSU (via Texas). That is a massive human being who will plug the middle.
- Ny Carr: A wide receiver from Miami who should give Ashford (or whoever starts under center) a vertical threat.
- Kam Shanks: Coming in from Arkansas to add more speed to the room.
The goal is clear: don't let 2025 be a fluke.
What Really Happened With the Running Game?
One surprising detail from the bowl game was who wasn't there. Demond Claiborne, the star back who had nearly 1,000 yards on the season, didn't play.
Usually, when your top playmaker sits out, the offense sputters. Instead, Ty Clark III stepped up and put up 164 total yards. It showed that the system Dickert is building is bigger than just one star player. It’s about "next man up."
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Key Takeaways for Deac Nation
If you’re tracking the wake forest football score and wondering if this momentum is sustainable, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Coach Retention: Wake Forest just extended contracts for 14 members of the coaching staff, including both coordinators. Continuity is king in college football.
- The 2026 Schedule: The ACC is moving to a nine-game conference schedule next year. That means more big-time matchups and fewer "cupcake" weeks.
- The Purdue Game: Mark your calendars for September. The Deacs travel to West Lafayette for a massive B1G-ACC clash that will set the tone for the whole year.
The 2025 season wasn't perfect. Losing to NC State and Georgia Tech at home stung. But finishing with a trophy and a 9-win record puts Wake Forest in an elite tier of ACC programs right now. Only four other teams in the league have hit eight wins five times in the last nine years. That's the kind of consistency fans used to only dream about in Winston-Salem.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Lock in your seats: Season ticket deposits for 2026 are already open. If you want a Jake Dickert bobblehead (yes, that’s a real thing they’re offering), you’ve got to renew early.
- Watch the Portal: The window is still open. Keep an eye on the defensive back position; that’s where the staff is looking to add more depth before spring ball starts.
- Check the 2026 Non-Conference Slate: Beyond Purdue, the Deacs have some interesting matchups that will determine if they can push for a double-digit win season next fall.
The "One More Rule" is the new mantra in Winston-Salem—attend at least one more game in 2026 than you did this past year. With the way the team is playing, that shouldn't be a hard sell.