In college football, a player’s career rarely follows a straight line. And former Gamecock Robby Ashford knows that better than most. Once a highly touted recruit who spent time at Oregon, Auburn, and South Carolina, Ashford officially closed the book on his six-year collegiate journey in storybook fashion on Friday night. He delivered a signature performance to lead the Wake Forest Demon Deacons to a 43-29 win over the Mississippi State Bulldogs in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl.
Ashford was electric, as he threw for 303 yards and three touchdowns, adding 50 rushing yards, and two more scores. He also walked away with MVP honors, highlighting a night that felt less like a bowl game and more like a personal redemption arc. Wake Forest finished 9-4, winning seven of its final nine games, and head coach Jake Dickert was rewarded with the traditional mayonnaise bath.
For Ashford, the numbers told only part of the story. When I got to Wake Forest, I was in a rough spot mentally and physically,” said Ashford after the win. “I was kind of down on myself, almost at a point where I didn’t know if I wanted to keep playing. Man, these guys just instilled just so much in me, and, just helped me in so many ways and instilled that confidence back in me.”
Ashford connected on touchdown strikes of 14 yards to Kamrean Johnson, 64 yards to Jack Foley, and 62 yards to Ty Clark III, showcasing the dual-threat ability that once made him one of the most intriguing quarterbacks in the SEC. He also punched in short rushing touchdowns from two and one yards out, capping drives with authority. Wake Forest didn’t just win, it played free, fast, and fearless. And for Gamecock fans, Ashford’s performance lands with layered meaning.
His time in Columbia was brief and ultimately transitional. But Friday night served as a reminder of what happens when timing, trust, and opportunity finally align. Ashford found a system that fit, teammates who believed, and a coaching staff willing to hand him the keys. A bowl MVP. A locker room celebration. Proof that the long road was worth it.