3 takeaways from BYU’s dramatic Pop-Tarts Bowl victory over Georgia Tech

The BYU Cougars are Pop-Tarts Bowl champions.

Kalani Sitake’s squad overcame a late deficit to storm back and stun Georgia Tech 25-21 Saturday in Orlando to clinch the program’s first 12-win season since 2001.

3 takeaways

BYU survived LJ Martin’s absence. Even without their Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, the Cougars still managed to put up 425 yards of offense and average 4.2 yards per carry.

Bear Bachmeier, who was hobbled due to an ankle injury and thus unable to run at his typically high volume, transformed himself into a prolific pocket passer, completing 27 of 38 throws for 325 yards and a touchdown.

Bachmeier did toss a concerning end zone interception early in the second half, but when the stakes were highest in the fourth quarter, he delivered by orchestrating drives of nine and 11 plays each to put touchdowns on the board.

Bachmeier’s effort both put him over 3,000 passing yards for the season and earned him Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP honors.

Tight end Carsen Ryan enjoyed a career night by catching eight passes for 120 yards — both personal bests — and Chase Roberts added seven grabs for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Platooning in place of Martin, Jovesa Damuni and Enoch Nawahine each scored touchdowns and teamed up for 80 yards on 17 carries.

The Cougars pitched a shutout in the second half. Jay Hill’s defense has been known for its knack for creating chaos, and BYU did exactly that down the stretch against Georgia Tech.

The Cougars bent but didn’t break in the final 30 minutes, allowing 204 yards of offense but never permitting the Yellow Jackets to score, as Georgia Tech was left empty-handed on its last three red zone trips.

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Three defensive plays made the difference for BYU in the second half:

• Nusi Taumoepeau forced a fumble that was recovered by Isaiah Glasker.

• Keanu Tanuvasa blocked a 35-yard field goal attempt.

• Evan Johnson intercepted Haynes King in the end zone to clinch the victory.

BYU just concluded one of the best campaigns in school history. Cougar fans revere the years 1984 and 1996, but it’s time to add 2025 to that list.

BYU won 12 games for the first time since 2001. The Cougars did it with a true freshman quarterback who blossomed into a superstar, reaching the Big 12 championship game and only losing (twice) to a top 5 team in Texas Tech.

BYU rallied for five different double-digit comeback wins. The Cougars beat Utah, defeated seven total bowl eligible teams and notched five true road victories.

BYU will almost certainly finish in the top 10 of the final AP poll of the year. If the Cougars couldn’t make the College Football Playoff, this was by far the best possible case scenario.

With Kalani Sitake signed to a long term extension, expect more success going forward in Provo, even if roster and staffing changes occur in the coming offseason.

What Sitake has built is proven to last, especially with the reported increase in program resources as part of his new contract.

But no matter what happens, 2025 will always be among the crown jewels within BYU’s 100-plus seasons of football lore, and it’s now capped off with a Pop-Tarts Bowl title.