The Cougars used a fourth-quarter comeback to beat Georgia Tech 25-21 in the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl and win the glorious honor of eating the life-sized mascots of the beloved bowl game.
Watch BYU vs Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl live with Fubo (free trial)
Bear Bachmeier authored another great performance to cap off a stellar freshman season at BYU. He threw for 325 yards and a touchdown, with 120 receiving yards from senior tight end Carsen Ryan.
BYU finishes the season 12-2 — its most wins since 2001 — and gets the one-of-a-kind Pop-Tarts toaster bowl trophy. Georgia Tech ends the campaign 9-4.
USA TODAY Sports had coverage from the game:
BYU vs Georgia Tech score
This section will be updated.
BYU vs Georgia Tech updates
BYU eats sprinkles Pop-Tarts
It’s the moment everyone was waiting for.
It was ‘Team Sprinkles’ that were chosen of getting to be eaten by BYU. Protein Slammin’ Strawberry, Frosted Cookies & Creme and Frosted Cherry all got on the toaster to be eaten. However, Protein Slammin’ Strawberry, the team captain, decided it wasn’t his time yet, jumping off before his ritual sacrifice.
Frosted Cookies & Creme and Frosted Cherry had no problems seeing their lives come to an end, and were toasted for the Cougars to enjoy.
Kalani Sitake devours Pop-Tart
The BYU coach said he and his team love all Pop-Tarts, and he proved it by quickly eating one that was just toasted in the trophy.
BYU celebrates win with Pop-Tart shower
Let the Pop-Tarts rain.
After pulling off the comeback win, BYU players threw a bucket of mini-Pop-Tarts on coach Kalani Sitake. He made sure to at least grab one for a snack.
BYU end zone interception seals win
Georgia Tech falls short.
An incredible fourth-down play got the Yellow Jackets all the way to the BYU 18-yard line, but they couldn’t score. On another fourth down with 14 seconds left, Haynes King’s pass gets intercepted in the end zone by Evan Johnson and the Cougars will hang on to win.
BYU retakes lead
The Cougars are back out in front late.
BYU forced another Georgia Tech punt, needing a field goal to at least tie. Instead, the Cougars would not be stopped on a nine-play, 70-yard drive that ended with a 4-yard rushing score from Jovesa Damuni.
BYU leads 25-21 at the 2-minute timeout.
BYU scores to cut deficit
BYU finally gets back in the end zone and it’s a one-score game.
After blocking a Georgia Tech field goal, the Cougars marched 80 yards down the field, capped off by Enoch Nawahine powering in for a 2-yard touchdown, his first score of the season. The BYU offense stayed on for the 2-point conversion, and Bear Bachmeier does it with his legs to make it a 21-18 game with 11 minutes to go.
End of 3Q: Georgia Tech 21, BYU 10
Georgia Tech’s lead is intact heading into the final quarter after neither side could score in the third quarter. The Yellow Jackets had a fumble and blocked field goal in BYU’s side of the field, and the Cougars threw a red zone interception.
BYU blocks field goal
Its offense hasn’t been able to score, but BYU’s defense is keeping the Cougars in it by preventing George Tech from extending the lead. The Yellow Jackets got back in BYU territory and were set to kick a 35-yard field goal, but Aidan Birr’s kick was blocked.
Georgia Tech stops BYU with interception
Another red zone stop for Georgia Tech, as it gets an interception to prevent BYU from making it a one-score game.
On third down from the Yellow Jacket 4-yard line, BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier tried to find Parker Kingston in the end zone, but Georgia Tech’s Rodney Shelley jumped in front of the pass to intercept it.
BYU can’t get points on the board, and it’s the second time in four red zone possessions it failed to score.
BYU gets big turnover
The Cougars get a turnover in one of the most unusual ways.
Georgia Tech was at the BYU 11-yard line, with Haynes King throwing to Jordan Allen. After Allen hauled in the catch, the ball was inadvertently kicked out of his hands by BYU’s Nusi Taumoepeau. The ball was on the ground and after a scramble, the Cougars got possession at their 31-yard line.
Pick which Pop-Tarts get sacrificed
Want to decide who gets eaten by the winners? Text ‘Swirls’ or ‘Sprinkles’ to 21523 to cast your vote.
Team Sprinkles:
Protein Slammin’ Strawberry (Team Captain)
Frosted Cookies & Creme
Frosted Cherry
Team Swirls:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Team Captain)
Frosted Wild Berry
Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae
Halftime: Georgia Tech 21, BYU 10
A key three-play swing helped Georgia Tech get a two-score lead halfway into the Pop-Tarts Bowl. On the kickoff after a Georgia Tech touchdown, BYU fumbled it and set the Yellow Jackets up at the Cougar 6-yard line. They capitalized immediately with a touchdown on the next play to extend the lead.
BYU trails despite leading the game in most statistical categories, including 220 yards compared to Georgia Tech’s 198. The Cougars have also controlled the time of possession, they just haven’t been able to turn it into points.
BYU quarterback Bear Bachmeier has 187 yards and a touchdown, while Georgia Tech’s Haynes King has 123 yards and two touchdowns. BYU tight end Carsen Ryan and Georgia Tech receiver Malik Rutherford each have five catches for 81 yards.
Georgia Tech will start the second half with the ball.
Pop-Tart mascot lifts toaster weights
Protein Slammin’ Strawberry is getting the gains.
Pop-Tarts Bowl ring of honor unveiled
Time to honor those that Pop-Tarts that made the great sacrifice. The Pop-Tarts Bowl introduced the ring of honor for strawberry and cinnamon roll, the two flavors that were eaten in the first two editions of the game.
BYU fumble leads to Georgia Tech touchdown
In the blink of an eye, Georgia Tech gets another touchdown and now leads 21-10.
On the ensuing kickoff, BYU’s Cody Hagen muffed the kick and the Georgia Tech kicking unit was able to pounce on it at the BYU 6-yard line.
The Yellow Jackets needed just one play to capitalize with Haynes King dropping a dime to J.T. Byrne for his second touchdown pass in two plays.
Georgia Tech takes first lead with touchdown
Another 10-play drive results in another Georgia Tech touchdown and the Yellow Jackets lead 14-10.
Face mask and pass interference penalties helped Georgia Tech during the drive, and it was capped off by Haynes King finding Eric Rivers for a 5-yard touchdown pass to get the first lead of the game.
BYU reclaims lead with field goal
The Cougars again get inside the Georgia Tech 10-yard line, but they settle for a field goal.
On third down, BYU thought it would get a pass interference call, but no flag was thrown, much to the disapproval of the offense. Kalani Sitake opted to send the field goal unit out, and kicker Will Ferrin had no problems with a 22-yard field goal to make it a 10-7 game.
End of 1Q: BYU 7, Georgia Tech 7
It’s already been a fun first 15 minutes in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, with both teams getting in the end zone on their second drives of the game.
BYU’s offense has been on fire with 156 total yards, 132 coming off the arm of quarterback Bear Bachmeier.
Georgia Tech gets touchdown with trick play
The Yellow Jackets gambled on fourth-and-goal − and barely got in.
It looked like Georgia Tech would kick a field goal at the 3-yard line, but the special teams unit went with a run by Trelain Maddox. It looked like he got stuffed and the ball came loose and in BYU’s hands, but an official ruled it a touchdown as everyone seemed confused on the field.
Replay showed Maddox just cross the goal line before he lost possession of the ball, although BYU coach Kalani Sitake was not happy with the call.
Meet Pop-Tarts Bowl mascots
The stars of the show have been unveiled.
BYU scores first with touchdown
The Cougars won’t be denied again.
BYU couldn’t punch it in on their long opening drive, but after forcing a three-and-out for Georgia Tech, it goes right down the field and gets into the end zone. Bear Bachmeier found Chase Roberts for a 7-yard touchdown pass to cap off a five-play drive that went 62 yards down the field.
The Cougars lead 7-0.
BYU stopped at goal line
The Cougars opened the contest with the ball and got all the way down to the 1-yard line, but they were unable to score. BYU went for it on fourth down with a run from Enoch Nawahine, but he was stuffed by the Georgia Tech defensive line.
What channel is BYU vs Georgia Tech on today?
TV Channel: ABC
Livestream:Fubo (free trial)
BYU and Georgia Tech will broadcast nationally on ABC for the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Mark Jones and Roddy Jones will call the game from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, with Quint Kessenich reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include Watch ESPN and Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
BYU vs Georgia Tech time today
Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET | 1:30 p.m. MT
The BYU vs Georgia Tech game starts at 3:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. MT) from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida.
Stream BYU vs Georgia Tech with Fubo (free trial)
BYU vs Georgia Tech predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Friday Dec. 27
Spread: BYU (-3.5)
Over/under: 56.5
Moneyline: BYU (-165) | Georgia Tech (+140)
Here is how USA TODAY Sports’ expert writers are picking the Pop-Tarts Bowl between BYU and Georgia Tech:
Matt Hayes: BYU
Jordan Mendoza: BYU
Paul Myerburg: BYU
Erick Smith: BYU
Eddie Timanus: BYU
Blake Toppmeyer: BYU
Pop-Tarts Bowl field design
The Pop-Tarts Bowl field is going all out with a sprinkle-inspired design for the endzones in the colors of the respective teams. The BYU and Georgia Tech logo is also inside a Pop-Tart
BYU-Georgia Tech Pop-Tarts helmets
The field isn’t the only thing inspired by Pop-Tarts, with both teams sporting designs on their uniforms.
Georgia Tech and BYU will have rainbow sprinkle stripes on their helmets just like the food namesake. BYU also has the design on its helmet bumper, and Georgia Tech has it inside the logo.
Pop-Tart Bowl mascots
The Pop-Tarts Bowl is back and it’s bigger, better and tastier than ever.
A new twist to the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot this year is the creation of two mascot teams: Team Sprinkles and Team Swirls. Each team will be comprised of three different Pop-Tarts flavors. This new addition marks the second consecutive season that Pop-Tarts Bowl organizers have upped their antics with the mascots. They had one mascot (Frosted Strawberry) in Year 1 of the bowl game.
Instead of one flavor being ‘sacrificed’ into the gigantic toaster for the consumption of the winning team, an entire mascot team will be sent through the toaster after the game.
Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot teams
Team Sprinkles:
Protein Slammin’ Strawberry (Team Captain)
Frosted Cookies & Creme
Frosted Cherry
Team Swirls:
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough (Team Captain)
Frosted Wild Berry
Frosted Hot Fudge Sundae
How is the Edible Pop-Tarts Bowl flavor chosen?
Another new twist to this year’s Pop-Tarts Bowl is that fans will have the power to determine which Pop-Tarts mascot team will be chosen to be sacrificed for the ultimate pastry dream trophy. In past years, the Most Valuable Player from the winning team got to select the flavor of the edible Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot.
In past years, the frosted cinnamon roll and frosted strawberry mascots were selected.
Why did Notre Dame decline Pop-Tarts Bowl?
After getting snubbed of the College Football Playoff, Notre Dame could have played in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, but decided not to.
Notre Dame declined a bowl game invitation as a result of not making the 12-team playoff. The Fighting Irish were controversially left out of the bracket as the selection committee selected Miami as the No. 10 seed over Notre Dame. Notre Dame was ranked over Miami in all of its previous top 25 ranking and had not used its head-to-head tiebreaker with both teams until Selection Sunday, despite the Hurricanes beating the Fighting Irish all the way back in Week 1.
‘As a team, we’ve decided to withdraw our name from consideration for a bowl game following the 2025 season. We appreciate all the support from our families and fans, and we’re hoping to bring the 12th national title to South Bend in 2026,’ Notre Dame wrote in a statement on Dec. 7.
Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua called it the ‘right decision’ by the Fighting Irish’s leadership team and coach Marcus Freeman to not play in a bowl game. He added players would also be able to rest during finals week and spend the holidays with their families by not playing another game.