For the first time since 2001, BYU has won 12 games in a football season.
And the Cougars accomplished the feat in one of college football’s most prestigious settings: the Pop-Tarts Bowl.
Kalani Sitake’s squad stormed back in the fourth quarter to stun Georgia Tech 25-21 Saturday in Orlando, capturing the Pop-Tarts Bowl crown.
Social media was buzzing about the Cougars. Here are some of the most notable reactions.
CHAMPS🏆 pic.twitter.com/uF3wnuWnZ8
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 28, 2025
A CRAZY GOOD way to finish the season pic.twitter.com/2Dqvi9gTSl
— BYU FOOTBALL (@BYUfootball) December 28, 2025
BYU stands atop the Pop-Tart world‼️
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) December 27, 2025
The Cougars' 12 wins are their most since 2001 👏 pic.twitter.com/a2amkcY4RS
BYU Pop Tarts Bowl dub pic.twitter.com/wpGB4iLY9L
— The ROC (@byuROC) December 28, 2025
IT'S PICKED OFF IN THE END ZONE AND BYU WILL HOLD ON TO WIN THE POP-TARTS BOWL 💥 pic.twitter.com/zep6kAoMmj
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 27, 2025
BYU PICKS OFF HAYNES KING TO WIN THE POP-TARTS BOWL CHAMPIONSHIP OF THE WORLD! pic.twitter.com/cYB6VBI3HW
— ESPN (@espn) December 28, 2025
BYU QB Bear Bachmeier becomes the first player named after an animal to be named MVP of the Pop-Tart’s Bowl pic.twitter.com/tOBzwSLEwb
— College Football Zone (@CollegeFBonX) December 28, 2025
The people’s national champions pic.twitter.com/jr1r7Hdf3b
— BYUtv Sports Nation (@BYUSportsNation) December 28, 2025
I don't know what else we can say. This team rules. 12 wins.
— Hype Train Podcast (@thehypetrainpod) December 27, 2025
Gritty win amongst the red zone mistakes and backup players having bigger roles. Impressive defensive effort in the second half too 👊🏻
— Jackson Emery (@jacksonemery04) December 28, 2025
BYU is a top 10 team and should’ve been in the @CFBPlayoff. pic.twitter.com/sXyrv5S951
— Kyle Ireland (@kyleireland) December 28, 2025
BYU scored 8 more points and gained 150 more yards against GT than the SEC champion did btw
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) December 28, 2025
BYU is officially The People’s National Champions pic.twitter.com/Yr01ZLRPmx
— Onyx (@OnyxOdds) December 28, 2025
FINAL: BYU 25, Georgia Tech 21
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) December 28, 2025
* BYU finishes 12-2
* First 12-win season since 2001
* 23 total wins the last two seasons
* Four 10-win seasons in the last six years.
BYU: Most underrated college football program in America.
BY. FAR. 😤😤 pic.twitter.com/OrkqmT7pez
Down two best players. QB hobbled. Tough calls against. Bad turnover. Uninspired play for 3 quarters.
— Mark Durrant (@DurrantMark) December 28, 2025
BYU: We got this
BYU when not playing Texas Tech this year:
— Gamblin' Gauchos 🎙️ (@GamblinGauchos) December 28, 2025
✅ 12-0
✅ 3-0 vs. ranked opponents
✅ 4-0 vs. teams with 9+ wins
✅ 6-0 vs. teams with 8+ wins (TCU could earn a ninth win)
They deserved a spot in the College Football Playoff 🤙🏼 pic.twitter.com/zbUHQQhTh5
Great job on BYU hanging onto Kalani Sitake.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 28, 2025
His love for the program is apparent and they appreciate him.
BYU wins the Pop-Tarts Bowl, that many refer to as the People’s National Championship, an incredible 12-2 season with a loss only to 1 team.
— RedditCFB (@RedditCFB) December 28, 2025
Fitting way for this BYU season to end. Finding ways to win and doing it 12 times. Only losses to the #4 team in the country. Best BYU season of this century and it’s not particularly close.
— Joe Wheat (@joewheat27) December 28, 2025
BYU now 2-0 in dessert-related matchups this postseason with wins over Georgia Tech and Penn State
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger) December 28, 2025