Pop-Tarts Bowl takeaways: BYU rallies to beat Georgia Tech, Team Sprinkles sacrificed
MVP Bear Bachmeier ordered Team Sprinkles to be sacrificed after BYU's 25-21 come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech.
Wearing a white T-shirt and hat reading “The People’s National Champions” alongside his BYU teammates, freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier made the biggest decision at the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday night.
The MVP ordered Team Sprinkles — Slammin’ Strawberry, Frosted Cherry and Frosted Cookies & Creme — to their faux deaths. Only, Slammin’ Strawberry wasn’t having it. The buffed-up, life-sized, anthropomorphic protein bar took a dive off the giant toaster to avoid its fate.
The annual sacrifice of the pop-tarts at the Pop-Tarts Bowl 😭 pic.twitter.com/VeKFbVfNSE
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2025
The dramatic finish to the postgame ceremony ended with BYU coach Kalani Sitake digging into the large pastry version of Frosted Cookies — a fitting celebration for the Cougars’ 25-21 come-from-behind victory over Georgia Tech at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.
The 50-year-old former Cincinnati Bengals fullback pretty much devoured anything put in front of him.
“I’ve got about eight pounds I’ve got to gain before I get to my New Year’s resolution,” Sitake said.
The Cougars (12-2) trailed 21-10 entering the fourth quarter before Bachmeier led them to their third come-from-behind victory of the season. First, Bachmeier engineered an 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive capped by his 2-point conversion run into the end zone over a Georgia Tech linebacker.
Then, he led a nine-play, 70-yard drive to take the lead with two minutes to play. BYU played the game without star running back LJ Martin, the Big 12’s Offensive Player of the Year. Bachmeier stepped up, finishing 27-for-38 passing for 325 yards, a touchdown and an interception.
Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King — the ACC’s Offensive Player of the Year — tried to rally his team to victory late. On fourth down at his own 16-yard line, King connected with Eric Rivers for a 66-yard gain to put Georgia Tech (9-4) in position to win the game. However, after three incompletions, he was intercepted by Evan Johnson in the end zone – the same player Rivers beat on the 66-yard play.
BYU PICKS OFF HAYNES KING TO WIN THE POP-TARTS BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD! pic.twitter.com/cYB6VBI3HW
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2025
“I knew it was going to be a tough task coming back, but I’d do anything to play with these brothers,” said Bachmeier, who played on an injured ankle. “I’m so glad to get the win.”
As usual, the Pop-Tarts Bowl fully embraced the absurd, featuring deep-fried Strawberry, Brown Sugar Cinnamon and Frosted S’mores creations, along with nachos, trifles and hot-fudge waffle cone sundaes.
An early wide shot of the stadium that circulated on social media teased the giant toaster that would later lower a brave mascot to be toasted and devoured by the winners. Georgia Tech’s band leaned into the spectacle as well, sporting a Pop-Tart trombone slide cover as the scene unfolded.