ORLANDO, Fla. — As if 13 tension-filled football games weren't enough in the regular season and the Big 12 championship, the No. 12 BYU Cougars used the Pop-Tarts Bowl on Saturday afternoon to show the country just who they are, for one final time in 2025.
In front of 34,126 onlookers at Camping World Stadium and a national television audience, the Cougars defeated No. 22 Georgia Tech 25-21 in roughly the same way that they won at least a half-dozen other games in this special season.
That is to say with incredible grit, a never-say-die attitude and belief in the culture that head coach Kalani Sitake has so masterfully installed in Provo.
Like the wins over Colorado, Arizona, Utah, Iowa State and UCF , the Cougars rallied when all seemed lost.
This particular victory — was it the best of the season, all things considered? — included a fast start, a mistake-filled middle stretch and then a spirited comeback for the ages — and a dramatic finish that went BYU's way when it easily could have gone 9-4 Tech's way.
Add it all up, and 2025 has to go down as one of the best seasons in school history, if not the best. BYU got its 12th win for the first time since 2001, and of course it had to be closely contested to the bitter end.
Trailing 21-10 at halftime Saturday, the Cougars (12-2) played a final 30 minutes for the ages, shutting out the explosive Yellow Jackets and watching a hobbled Bear Bachmeier and company make just enough plays to pull it out.
Then a defender, Evan Johnson , who had been beaten by a 66-yard bomb on fourth-and-15 deep in BYU territory just four plays prior, made the game-sealing interception, snagging a ball that almost certainly would have been caught for a touchdown.
This is mostly a Universal Studios town, but forgive us for calling it a Hollywood ending — at least for the Cougars.
BYU Cougars running back Enoch Nawahine (21) hurdles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Omar Daniels (9) as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando, Fla., on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) hands the ball off to BYU Cougars running back Enoch Nawahine (21) as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A BYU cheerleader carries the Y flag after a Cougar score as the BYU Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) eyes BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan (20) in the open as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan (20) is tackled by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Kyle Efford (44) along the sideline after making a catch as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan (20) makes a catch as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars tight end Carsen Ryan (20) looks at the defense as he runs the sideline after making a catch as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets quarterback Haynes King (10) passes as BYU Cougars defensive end Viliami Po'Uha (45) tries to deflect the ball as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) and BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) celebrate after a touchdown as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars watch a replay after a Cougar fumble as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A fan holds a sign as the BYU Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars punter Sam Vander Haar (35) sends a punt on its way as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Eric Rivers (3) isn't able to make catch with BYU Cougars defensive end Nusi Taumoepeau (5) as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key questions a call as they and the BYU Cougars play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Kevin Doe (31) tries to bring Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Shane Marshall (24) down on a run as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, argues a call as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars running back Jovesa Damuni (28) is smashed by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Kyle Efford (44) Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defensive back Tae Harris (27) and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets cornerback Jon Mitchell (29) as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars running back Enoch Nawahine (21) finds an opening in the line as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars running back Jovesa Damuni (28) is hit by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets linebacker Kyle Efford (44) as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The Goodyear Blimp flies over the Pop-Tarts Bowl as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars wide receiver Chase Roberts (2) scores a touchdown as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, finished jamming a Pop-Tart into his mouth as the Cougars celebrate the win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougar fans gather on the edge of the railing after the game after the Cougars defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates his game saving interception in the endzone with teammates giving the Cougars the 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) intercepts a pass to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (1) in the endzone sealing the 25-21 win for the Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, jams a Pop-Tart into his mouth as the Cougars celebrate the win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates his game saving interception in the endzone giving the Cougars the 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) intercepts a pass to Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets running back Jamal Haynes (1) in the endzone sealing the 25-21 win for the Cougars in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) celebrates his game saving interception in the endzone with teammates giving the Cougars the 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, and his players celebrate after the Cougars defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars fans cheer as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) is shoved out of bounds short of the goalline by Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets defenders as they play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets wide receiver Dean Patterson (11) isn't able to make the catch in the endzone as BYU Cougars linebacker Miles Hall (21) falls down as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars offensive lineman Weylin Lapuaho (61) lifts the trophy after the win as the Cougars defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars linebacker Siale Esera (54) signs autographs for fans after the game after the Cougars defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) hands the ball off to BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars players celebrate as the Cougars celebrate their 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) holds a Team Sprinkles sign as BYU Cougars celebrate their 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) takes a bite of a Pop-Tart as the BYU Cougars celebrate their 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) holds the MVP trophy up as the BYU Cougars celebrate their 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) is lifted onto teammate's shoulders after making an interception to seal the win for the Cougars 25-21 over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, waves his hat toward fans as he leaves the field after the Cougars 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, waves his hat toward fans as he leaves the field after the Cougars 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars defensive back Evan Johnson (0) is lifted onto teammate's shoulders after making an interception to seal the win for the Cougars 25-21 over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU players run onto the field for warmups as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU fans watch as as the Cougars prepare to play the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key talk at midfield as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets head coach Brent Key talk at midfield as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) looks to pass as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets warm up prior to playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
A young BYU fan holds up a sign as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) stretches his arm as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets warm up prior to playing in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Cole Hagen (17) warms up as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans pose for a photo as they anticipate the game between the BYU Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
Fans cheer at the broadcast camera as they anticipate the game between the BYU Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU players warm up as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets prepare to play in the Pop-Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars fans just sit and watch after a fumble as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars running back Enoch Nawahine (21) jumps over a defender during a run as the Cougars and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars wide receiver Parker Kingston (11) battles to get free as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
BYU Cougars quarterback Bear Bachmeier (47) passes the ball as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
The Y flag is carried after a score as the Cougars and the Yellow Jackets play in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
"Great game, and just really proud of the guys. Proud of the leadership on our team. … Overall, I felt like we got in a rough spot, but we have been in that position before," Sitake said.
On the other side of the field, after all the confetti had fallen and Pop-Tarts had been dumped on Sitake and even eaten by the colorful coach, Georgia Tech coach Brent Key just wondered what might have been.
"They made one more play than we did," Key said.
Credit BYU's defense, in what was quite likely defensive coordinator Jay Hill's final game at BYU, for making that extra play — which ironically came after a play that would have been shown on every highlight show from here to Seattle.
After Georgia Tech's Eric Rivers hauled in the 66-yarder from Haynes King to put the Yellow Jackets at BYU's 18 — credit Johnson for tackling him after a misjudged swipe at the ball — Hill's defense (playing without star linebacker Jack Kelly) forced three straight incompletions before the game-sealing interception.
"Coach Hill gave me a great call, and I got my opportunity to go make a play," Johnson said.
BYU safety Tanner Wall said there wasn't time to console Johnson after the 66-yard pass play but figured the redshirt sophomore was mature enough to overcome it, which he did.
"I think it is a great lesson for life that adversity might strike, but you can't give up," said Wall. "… I think the fight coming out in the second half was huge."
Indeed, BYU shut out Georgia Tech in the second half after the Jackets had put up 198 yards and three touchdowns in the first half. Of course, one of those TDs was a gift, as BYU fumbled a kickoff to set the designated visiting team up at its 5 yard line.
BYU also gave away points on its first possession of the second half, as Rodney Shelley intercepted Bachmeier at the goal line on third-and-4.
Take away that play that cost the Cougars four points, a turnover on downs at the Tech 1-yard line in the first quarter when Enoch Nawahine was stopped inches short and the botched kickoff, and this might have been a BYU rout.
But that wouldn't be fitting for the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which bills itself as the "People's National Championship." That's probably overhyped, but the 2025 game almost certainly will go down as one of the best of the bowl season.
It will also be remembered as the game Bachmeier gutted out after aggravating a left ankle sprain on BYU's first possession. Bachmeier, who was named the game's MVP, acknowledged that he was "banged up" going into the game, but wouldn't put a percentage on it.
He also said he tweaked it again on a run two plays before the big Georgia Tech stop at the goal line.
"I just had to play for my brothers," Bachmeier said.
The freshman completed 27 of 38 passes for 325 yards and a 7-yard touchdown pass to Chase Roberts for a passer rating of 146.3.
He carried the ball just once, for no yards. King, a senior who was the ACC Player of the Year, was also impressive, throwing for 270 yards and two touchdowns.
"I missed a throw. You gotta make those plays," King said of an overthrow to an open tight end the play before Johnson's interception.
Another key play by BYU's defense: Keanu Tanuvasa got a hand on a field goal attempt by Aidan Birr when Tech was trying to make it a 24-10 game. Key inexplicably tried the field goal on 4th-and-2 after moving the ball with ease to the BYU 17.
After that, it was all BYU, as the Cougars drove 80 yards in 11 plays and got a two-point conversion run by Bachmeier to trim the deficit to 21-18 with 11:13 remaining.
The game-winning drive came with 5:44 remaining and BYU at its own 30.
Parker Kingston made a big catch on third and 10, and Jovesa Damuni capped the nine-play drive off with a 4-yard touchdown run, the first of his career.
A few calls went against BYU in the first half, but the Cougars also repeatedly shot themselves in the foot to fall behind by 11 points at the break.
Georgia Tech got away with a pick play at the goal line a few plays before its first touchdown, and a third-down pass to the end zone to Roberts fell incomplete as a defender got away with a hold.
On the drive that put Tech ahead 14-10, a phantom facemask penalty on Isaiah Glasker gave the Jackets 15 free yards.
Then again, there was no one to blame for Cody Hagen's muff of a kickoff that gave the Jackets the ball at the BYU 5 and resulted on an easy TD pass the very next play.
The rest of the half, the Cougars struggled to make routine tackles, committed a costly pass-interference penalty on third and 8 that allowed the Jackets to get a touchdown instead of a field goal and started to get pushed around on the line of scrimmage as the half wore on.
Tech tied it with a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive, getting the score on fourth and 3 when Trelain Maddox stretched the ball over the goal line.
BYU put together another nice drive, but no flag came from the Big Ten officiating crew on the third-down throw to Roberts from the Tech 4, and BYU had to settle for a 22-yard field goal and 10-7 lead.
BYU's defense started to crack, as the Jackets scored two touchdowns in the space of 13 seconds, to take the 21-10 lead.
BYU picked up 220 yards in the first half, and finished with 425.
"We have been in this position before," Sitake said at halftime. "Let's see how we respond."
The Cougars' answer: Check the half-dozen or so other games this season when BYU found itself in a hole.
BYU Cougars head coach Kalani Sitake, waves his hat toward fans as he leaves the field after the Cougars 25-21 win over the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in the Pop Tarts Bowl in Orlando on Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News
