Why Mississippi State is wearing black uniforms vs Wake Forest in Duke's Mayo Bowl

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CHARLOTTE, NC — Mississippi State football starting linebacker Nic Mitchell called coach Jeff Lebby two days before the Nov. 28 Egg Bowl.

The senior, who was playing in his final regular season game, requested that MSU wear all black uniforms against Ole Miss.

“Let’s go win and get in a bowl game and we’ll go all black,” Lebby said on Jan. 1 that he told Mitchell then.

The Bulldogs (5-7) lost the Egg Bowl, 38-19, failing to clinch bowl eligibility with a sixth win. But they accepted a surprise invitation on Dec. 7 to the Duke’s Mayo Bowl, where they’ll play Wake Forest (8-4) at Bank of America Stadium on Jan. 2 (7 p.m. CT, ESPN).

That also opened the door for Mitchell’s request to be granted again. Mississippi State will be wearing all black for the bowl game.

“The black jersey’s the best to me,” Mitchell said. “That’s what I like.”

It’s the second time this season MSU will wear all black. If the first game was an indicator, the black uniforms could be a good omen against Wake Forest, too.

The other time the Bulldogs wore all black was against Arizona State in Week 2, the biggest win of the regular season. Quarterback Blake Shapen threw a go-ahead 58-yard touchdown to Brenen Thompson with 30 seconds remaining. Fans stormed the field at Davis Wade Stadium after the upset win against the then-No. 10 Sun Devils.

The helmet will be different for this game, however. Instead of the script State logo, the Bulldogs will be wearing the interlocking MSU logo.

Wake Forest, which has primary colors of black, white and gold, will counter with a white jersey, white pants and a gold helmet.

“It’s great for our guys,” Lebby said. “I love the uniforms. It will look great tomorrow night on national TV.”

Kamario Taylor revealed Mississippi State uniforms

Ever since freshman quarterback Kamario Taylor made his first career start in the Egg Bowl, Mississippi State has used him plenty for social media promotions.

Taylor, who will start against Wake Forest and be the starter next season, was the centerpiece of Mississippi State’s 2026 schedule reveal on social media on Dec. 11.

He was also the player used to unveil Mississippi State’s black uniforms for the bowl game.

MORE: How Mississippi State will handle transfer portal opening same day as Duke’s Mayo Bowl

One post from the team’s X account called Taylor “The Dawg Knight,” referencing the Batman movies.

Another post of the uniforms was an edited video of Taylor with the “Stranger Things” TV show. The show’s finale released on Dec. 31. Taylor said he had a watch party in his hotel room with running backs Fluff Bothwell, Kolin Wilson and Seth Davis.

“I like the details on the jerseys,” Taylor said. “You got the Duke’s Mayo Bowl patch on their now, so it kind of sticks out. It gives us the all black. I’m like a big Batman guy so I like the Dark Knight.”

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for The Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@usatodayco.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Why is Mississippi State wearing black uniforms vs Wake Forest?

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