(BCSNN) — Jake Dickert’s first season at Wake Forest ended the same way it unfolded from the start - with history. The Demon Deacons closed out the greatest debut campaign by a head coach in program history Friday night, defeating Mississippi State 43–29 in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl at Bank of America Stadium to secure just the fourth nine‑win season in school history.

Redshirt senior quarterback Robby Ashford delivered the finest performance of his career, earning MVP honors after accounting for five touchdowns. Ashford completed 20 of 33 passes for 303 yards and three touchdowns and added 50 rushing yards with two more scores, powering a Wake Forest offense that totaled 451 yards, including 148 on the ground.

Sophomore running back Ty Clark III posted a career‑best 91 rushing yards and added three receptions for 73 yards, highlighted by a 62‑yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Junior tight end Kamrean Johnson and freshman wide receiver Jack Foley also found the end zone - Foley’s 64‑yard second‑quarter touchdown coming on his first career reception.

Wake Forest (9–4) complemented its offensive firepower with a disruptive defensive effort. The Demon Deacons recorded nine tackles for loss and five sacks, with senior defensive back Nick Andersen leading the way with a season‑high 12 tackles, including six solo stops and a sack.

Special teams set the tone early. Freshman Koredell Bartley returned the opening kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown, marking the program’s first season with multiple kickoff‑return touchdowns since 1952. Bartley’s return also tied the longest play in Wake Forest history, matching Demond Claiborne’s 100‑yard return last season and Alphonso Smith’s 100‑yard interception return in 2007.

With the victory, Wake Forest extended its bowl winning streak to three games, tying the longest such run in program history (1992–2002, 2016–18). Dickert, now 9–4 in his first season, becomes the first Demon Deacon head coach to reach nine wins in his debut year.