POP-TARTS BOWL 2025: BYU STUNS GEORGIA TECH IN A THRILLING FINISH
Updated: Oct 31
ORLANDO — The 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl delivered a thrilling finish Saturday night at Camping World Stadium, where BYU mounted an impressive comeback to defeat Georgia Tech 25–21. Trailing by 11 points in the second half, the Cougars showed composure and discipline to flip a game that had been controlled for long stretches by the Yellow Jackets.
For more than two quarters, Georgia Tech set the tempo. Senior quarterback Haynes King capitalized on a favorable sequence just before halftime, engineering two quick scoring drives to put his team in front. A mishandled kickoff by BYU, immediately followed by a touchdown, allowed the Yellow Jackets to build a significant lead and head into the locker room with what appeared to be firm control of the contest.
BYU, however, never lost its poise. Under the guidance of freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier, the Cougars steadily worked their way back into the game. The turning point came late in the third quarter when a Georgia Tech field-goal attempt by Aiden Birr was blocked. The play reignited BYU’s energy and shifted the psychological momentum.
In the fourth quarter, Bachmeier consistently delivered accurate throws to keep drives alive. His performance—27 completions for 325 yards—kept the opposing defense under constant pressure. With two minutes remaining, Jovesa Damuni capped a lengthy offensive march with a four-yard touchdown run, giving BYU the lead for the first time all night.
Georgia Tech still had a chance to respond. On a critical fourth down, Haynes King connected with Eric Rivers for a dramatic gain along the sideline. But the final attempt ended with an interception in the end zone by Evan Johnson, sealing the outcome.
With the win, BYU closes its season with 12 victories, a historic milestone for the program. Georgia Tech, despite clear progress under head coach Brent Key, finishes a promising season on a frustrating note—another reminder of the unforgiving nature of bowl games.
HIGHLIGHTS:
