BYU Completes Pop-Tarts Bowl Comeback, Takes Down Georgia Tech

Dec 27, 2025, 5:05 PM | Updated: 5:14 pm

ORLANDO, Florida – The BYU Cougars were on life support at halftime before waking from a coma and taking down the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 25-21 in come-from-behind fashion.

The win caps BYU’s first 12-win season since 2001.

No. 12 BYU (12-2) wrapped up the season against the Yellow Jackets (9-4) at Camping World Stadium on Saturday, December 27.

RELATED: BYU Football Depth Chart For Pop-Tarts Bowl Against Georgia Tech

A CRAZY GOOD way to finish the season pic.twitter.com/2Dqvi9gTSl

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 28, 2025

Kalani eating the Pop-Tarts from his victory shower of Pop-Tarts is an awesome move.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 28, 2025

Saturday’s game is the 42nd bowl game in BYU’s history. The first bowl in program history was a 16-6 loss to Oklahoma State in the 1974 Fiesta Bowl.

The matchup with Georgia Tech is the 18th time BYU has played a ranked opponent in a bowl game. The most recent was a 36-14 win over No. 23 Colorado in the 2024 Alamo Bowl.

The Cougars are 18-22-1 all-time in bowl games, and 5-2 under Kalani Sitake as head coach. BYU is 1-3 in bowl games played in Florida.

Kalani Sitake gets the Pop-Tart bath (and a quick snack) as @BYUfootball claims the 2025 @PopTartsBowl 😂#Big12FB | @BYUfootball pic.twitter.com/iDSx0h5Y2Z

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 28, 2025

BYU football all-time vs. Georgia Tech

Today’s tilt marks the fifth time these programs have met on the gridiron.

Georgia Tech earned a 28-19 win over the Cougars in 2002. BYU returned the favor the following season with a 24-13 victory in Provo.

#Soon 👀👀👀 pic.twitter.com/0GRy1HkgAk

— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 26, 2025

The series returned to Atlanta, Georgia, and Bobby Dodd Stadium in 2012 when Bronco Mendenhall led his Cougars to a 41-17 blowout.

Georgia Tech lost its third straight in the series the following season. Tayson Hill, Jamaal Williams, and Cody Hoffman helped BYU to a 38-20 win at LaVell Edwards Stadium.

Pregame

WAKE UP! IT'S POP-TARTS BOWL GAME DAY!

🏈: @GeorgiaTechFB vs. @BYUfootball
⏰: 3:30 p.m. ET
📺: ABC
📻: ESPN
🎟️: https://t.co/3oqZmCgaVX
ℹ️: https://t.co/5RaKXZ3uDX pic.twitter.com/KMa4caQhta

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 27, 2025

game notes – BYU vs Georgia Tech

( Pop-Tarts Bowl ) pic.twitter.com/03Xv2VG49F

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 26, 2025

Pop-Tarts Bowl: Extended Pregame

BYU vs. Georgia Tech preview

Starts at 10 a.m. on @kslnewsardio and @kslsports. pic.twitter.com/Dcj9c9ozyu

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Everything you need to know, all in one place. The official digital game program is here.

➡️: https://t.co/POjF9q4CTK pic.twitter.com/usuUHY2MPx

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 27, 2025

The @PopTartsBowl helmet build for @BYUfootball #uniswag pic.twitter.com/59mCJrRUdM

— UNISWAG (@UNISWAG) December 27, 2025

A field full of flavor. #PopTartsBowl pic.twitter.com/DA987V3CS5

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 27, 2025

Fresh out of the box and ready to cook! Meet our Edible Mascots! pic.twitter.com/JP3bodDURo

— Pop-Tarts Bowl (@PopTartsBowl) December 27, 2025

pop-tart got moves 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/bDZcxgSeCA

— Cosmo Cougar (@TheCosmoCougar) December 27, 2025

First Quarter

Georgia Tech won the toss and deferred until the second half.

Bear Bachmeier is limping on that bad ankle.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

BYU received the kickoff and marched into the red zone on the right arm of Bear Bachmeier. The true freshman completed 7-of-8 passes, moving the Cougars within inches of the goal line.

Enoch Nawahine got the call on 4th and Goal, but was stuffed for a turnover on downs.

BYU fails to convert on 4th & Goal on a run up the middle with Enoch Nawahine.

What looked to be a promising opening drive ends with that, and Bear limping.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Georgia Tech punted after a three-and-out.

Bear Bachmeier's passing stats in BYU's first two offensive drives in the Pop-Tarts Bowl:

9-10
97 yards
1 TD
204.5 QBR pic.twitter.com/rDXI5iaM6X

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

TOASTED EM.

📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/XpS8rP0MRn

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 27, 2025

Bachmeier stayed hot on the second drive. Two completions, including a seven-yard dart to Chase Roberts, gave the Cougars a 7-0 lead.

RELATED: BYU Takes Early Pop-Tarts Bowl Lead Over Georgia Tech

Chase Roberts gets a touchdown grab in his final game as a BYU Cougar.

What a career for Chase. pic.twitter.com/pXoRw49chk

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Bachmeier finished the first period with a 35-yard completion to Carsen Ryan that moved the Cougars into Yellow Jackets territory.

End of the First Quarter: BYU 7, Georgia Tech 7

Bear Bachmeier passed for 132 yards in the first quarter.

He had a stretch where he completed eight consecutive passes.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Second Quarter

The Bachmeier-to-Ryan combo worked again, taking advantage of a blitz to connect for a 14-yard pass that set up first-and-goal.

Excellent decision by Bear Bachemeier under pressure to complete that pass to Carsen Ryan.

Georgia Tech is getting too many hits on Bear. BYU's offensive line has to protect.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

BYU settled for a Will Ferrin field goal after a blatant pass interference penalty against Georgia Tech was missed in the end zone.

BYU's first three offensive drives against Georgia Tech all reach the red zone; only 10 points on the board to show for those appearances.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

BYU fell behind for the first time when Haynes King hit Eric Rivers in the flat for a five-yard touchdown and a 14-10 lead.

Disaster struck when Cody Hagen fumbled the kickoff, giving the ball back to Georgia Tech deep in the red zone.

The Yellow Jackets’ second touchdown pass in as many plays put BYU in a 21-10 hole with 5:15 left in the half.

Cody Hagen fumbles the kick return. Georgia Tech recovered, and one play later, a six-yard touchdown pass.

Suddenly, BYU trails Georgia Tech 21-10 in the second quarter.

Brutal.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Halftime: Georgia Tech 21, BYU 10

Second-most points scored by an opponent on BYU in the first half of a game this season. pic.twitter.com/utkr1pzdEM

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Third Period

The Yellow Jackets looked to add some points on their first possession, but a fortunate forced fumble by the Cougars created a turnover.

Nusi Taumoepeau forced the fumble that keeps BYU in this game.

He is going to be a player that BYU needs to prioritize retaining in the offseason. Big future ahead for him.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Nusi Taumoepeau and @BYUfootball with the CRAZIEST forced fumble of @BowlSeason 😱 #Big12FB | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/lP2BPXLjGM

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 27, 2025

Another red-zone appearance for BYU that results in zero points.

Bear Bachmeier throws an interception on 3rd & Goal from the Georgia Tech 4-yard line to GT's Rodney Shelly.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Keanu Tanuvasa blocks the field goal attempt.

I'm surprised Georgia Tech decided to kick after running the ball on 3rd & 8 and picking up six yards.

BYU comes up with a play to stay in this game.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

NO FLY ZONE ❌#Big12FB | 📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/ISsEGexj2y

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) December 27, 2025

Jovesa Damuni closes out the third quarter with runs of 19 and 12 yards.

He's up to three carries for 34 rushing yards entering the fourth quarter.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

End of Third: Georgia Tech 21, BYU 10

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Fourth Quarter

BYU cuts the deficit down to three points after Enoch Nawahine's two-yard touchdown run and a gritty two-point conversion from Bear Bachmeier on the ground.

Georgia Tech 21, BYU 18 – 11:13 to go

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

ENERGY AND EFFORT 😤

📺 ABC pic.twitter.com/NKIsLJzB2T

— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 27, 2025

Parker Kingston with a big 34-yard punt return.

BYU has the momentum as they start the drive from their own 45-yard line.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

BYU goes three-and-out and settles on a punt.

The punt worked again as Vander Haar pinned Georgia Tech inside their own 10.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Bear Bachmeier is above 300 passing yards in the Pop-Tarts Bowl.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Jovesa Damuni!

First career touchdown run for the redshirt freshman running back.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

wow

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

SHMEV with the interception!

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 27, 2025

Final: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21

Kalani Sitake gets a Pop-Tarts and Gatorade shower.

BYU finishes the year with a 12-2 record.

First 12-win season for BYU since 2001.

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 28, 2025

BYU QB Bear Bachmeier in the Pop-Tarts Bowl win over Georgia Tech:

27-38
325 Yards
1 TD
1 INT
71% Completion pic.twitter.com/AVss5VDIBk

— Mitch Harper (@Mitch_Harper) December 28, 2025