Wake Forest pulled away from Mississippi State 43-29 behind a stellar performance from quarterback Robby Ashford, who threw three touchdown passes and rushed for two more scores. The Demon Deacons never trailed after Koredell Bartley's electrifying 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the first quarter, building a 30-12 lead before the Bulldogs mounted a furious comeback attempt. Mississippi State clawed within 30-27 early in the fourth quarter, but Ashford sealed the victory with a 62-yard touchdown strike to Ty Clark III with just over two minutes remaining.