Kamario Taylor made his MSU second start at quarterback, but MSU struggled to block Wake Forest, especially in the run game. MSU kicked three field goals in the first half and had no touchdowns. The Demon Deacons also returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown in the first quarter.

Mississippi State football gets a wild Mayo Bowl boost as Kelley Jones returns a blocked Wake Forest PAT for a Bulldogs score to make it 36–29