BYU’s late surge stuns Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl; pastry mascot skips celebration and 4 wild moments that swung the game
BYU rallied from an 11-point second-half deficit to beat Georgia Tech 25-21 in the Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium, capped by Jovesa Damuni’s 4-yard touchdown with about two minutes left to seal the comeback.
Key takeaways
- Final score: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21 (box score via ESPN).
- Fourth-quarter rally: BYU scored 15 points in the fourth and finished with its first 12-win season since 2001 (Deseret News; NBC Sports).
- MVP performance: QB Bear Bachmeier passed for 325 yards and led two late, clock-consuming drives despite an ankle issue (Deseret News).
Game summary and scoring details
No. 12 BYU and No. 22/24 Georgia Tech traded momentum through three quarters before a dramatic fourth. The Jackets opened an early edge with a late first-half flurry — including a touchdown pass from Haynes King to Eric Rivers and an immediate score after a muffed kickoff — that gave Georgia Tech an 11-point lead going into the fourth (NBC Sports).
BYU responded with two sustained drives in the final period. Key contributions included precise throws from Bear Bachmeier and tough rushing by BYU backs that finished with Jovesa Damuni’s 4-yard touchdown run with about two minutes remaining, completing a 15-point fourth quarter and a 25-21 victory (Deseret News; ESPN).
Scoring by quarter: Georgia Tech led 7-0 after Q1 and 21-10 at halftime. The Jackets were shut out in the second half while BYU scored 15 points in the fourth to finish 25-21 (ESPN).
Key performances and statistics
- Bear Bachmeier (MVP): 27-for-38, 325 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; battled an ankle issue and finished the season with 3,000+ passing yards (Deseret News).
- Jovesa Damuni & Enoch Nawahine: combined 80 yards on 17 carries, each with a rushing TD; Damuni’s fourth-quarter run decided the game (Deseret News).
- Haynes King (Georgia Tech): 23-for-41, 254 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT; Jackets were 3-for-6 in the red zone and suffered a fumble plus a blocked 35-yard field goal (NBC Sports).
- BYU defense (Jay Hill): shut out Georgia Tech in the second half and produced the game-sealing interception by Evan Johnson on a fourth-down end-zone attempt (Deseret News).
Five wild moments that swung the game
- The kickoff-to-score swing: Cody Hagen muffed a kickoff that quickly led to Georgia Tech points and fueled their mid-game surge (NBC Sports).
- Fourth-and-15 miracle: Georgia Tech converted a 66-yard fourth-and-15 late, then targeted the end zone on fourth down — but BYU’s Evan Johnson intercepted the pass (Deseret News).
- Blocked 35-yard field goal: A crucial block kept BYU within striking distance (NBC Sports).
- Late-game toughness from Bachmeier: playing through an ankle problem, he engineered two long, clock-consuming drives that flipped the scoreboard (Deseret News).
- Jovesa Damuni touchdown: the decisive 4-yard plunge with about two minutes left became the game-winner (Deseret News; ESPN).
The Pop-Tarts pastry and a missed mascot moment
The Pop-Tarts Bowl leans into playful promotion with edible pastry mascots representing Team Sprinkles and Team Swirls. Social posts suggested a pastry “bailed on celebration,” but bowl organizers provided no official report; the lighter promotional side provided a fun backdrop to an intense game (Pop-Tarts Bowl).
Broader context: season arcs and program direction
BYU: The victory caps a landmark 12-2 season — the program’s first 12-win year since 2001 — after a campaign that included the Big 12 title game and key wins such as the rivalry victory over Utah. Head coach Kalani Sitake has emphasized physical defense and late-game resilience (Deseret News).
Georgia Tech: The Jackets finish 9-4, closing the year on a skid that cost them conference and playoff momentum under coach Brent Key (Pop-Tarts Bowl; NBC Sports).
Investigative notes on late-game calls and momentum
Several fourth-quarter decisions merit attention. Georgia Tech’s aggressive play-calling after the 66-yard fourth-and-15 conversion placed them in a high-risk situation; BYU’s defensive discipline and baiting of a long pass led to the decisive interception. Special teams — the muffed kickoff and the blocked field goal — materially shifted expected points and time of possession (Deseret News; NBC Sports).
“BYU’s patience on defense and clock management in the fourth quarter turned an uphill game into a program-defining victory.” — Reporting from Orlando, Times Media Service
Implications for Redding, California
Economic and community interest
Local sports bars, alumni chapters and veterans’ groups in Redding likely hosted watch parties, generating higher TV viewership and downtown foot traffic. While the bowl was in Orlando, successful seasons often increase travel by regional fan groups.
High school and recruiting impact
Coaches and recruits in the Redding area will study BYU’s late-game clock management and defensive fundamentals. A nationally televised comeback and a 12-win season strengthen BYU’s recruiting pitch in Northern California.
Civic and cultural resonance
BYU’s victory resonates in conservative and Church-affiliated communities; local programs may use the game as a teaching example emphasizing ball security and red-zone execution.
Practical effects
- Youth programs could see increased participation and interest in BYU-style clinics and camps.
- Regional media and radio outlets in Redding are likely to run postgame analysis and alumni interviews.
What to watch next for local fans
For BYU followers: Monitor whether Kalani Sitake leverages this season into stronger non-conference scheduling and deeper recruiting in California. For Georgia Tech-watchers: the late-season slide highlights turnover and special-teams gaps that local programs can study.
Sources and further reading
- Deseret News: BYU football defeats Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl (Dec. 27, 2025)
- ESPN game coverage and box score
- NBC Sports: No. 12 BYU rallies to beat No. 24 Georgia Tech, 25-21
- Pop-Tarts Bowl official release
Reporting from Orlando. Times Media Service
