Mississippi State football walked into the Duke's Mayo Bowl facing expectations tilted the other way. Wake Forest football was expected to win. However, Kelley Jones delivered the night’s shock of energy. The Bulldogs then turned a routine PAT into chaos and, ultimately, into points. The kick was blocked, the ball skidded loose, and Jones reacted first.
From there, Kelley Jones didn’t block it — he recovered it, secured the bounce in stride, and took off. Almost immediately, noise followed. He sprinted 63 yards to the opposite end zone as the Bulldogs’ sideline erupted. As a result, the score became 36–29 after the return. Mississippi State still trailed, but the emotional temperature changed fast.
BLOCKED THE EXTRA POINT AND TOOK IT ALL THE WAY TO THE HOUSE 🔥
We've got a close one between Wake Forest and Mississippi State on ESPN and the ESPN App 👀 pic.twitter.com/xOb3DbT7o1
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) January 3, 2026
Meanwhile, Mississippi State football's run showed awareness first, then speed, and finally pure composure. Jones read traffic, slipped one angle near midfield, and trusted open grass. Soon, Wake Forest football pursuit thinned. The sound swelled under the lights. By the time he crossed the goal line, the moment already felt destined for bowl highlight reels.
To be sure, momentum alone never guarantees a finish. Still, it matters. You could see it in body language. Helmets slapped. Coaches pointed. Teammates jogged off with shoulders higher. For Mississippi State football, a special-teams swing became real scoreboard impact and renewed belief. In a game defined by swings, this one carried its own electricity.
What the play says about Mississippi State football
The Bulldogs proved that effort in every phase can redefine tone. A blocked PAT becoming points is rare, but the response after the block defined the sequence. Jones turned opportunity into production. Mississippi State football tightened communication, tackled with urgency, and leaned into the moment even as the deficit remained. The Mayo Bowl shifted in feel.
For Wake Forest football, it was a reminder that no snap is routine. For Mississippi State football, it became identity in real time — opportunistic, fast, confident in chaos. And for fans, one question lingers: with that edge and resilience, how far can the Bulldogs push next season?
