ORLANDO, Fla. – In a game that had all the makings of a classic, No. 12 BYU delivered one of the most memorable performances in program history, rallying from an 11-point halftime deficit to defeat No. 22 Georgia Tech 25-21 in the 2025 Pop-Tarts Bowl. With the victory, the Cougars notched their 12th win of the season—their first 12-win campaign since 2001—and capped a breakout year in their third season as a member of the Big 12 Conference.
The stakes felt high from the opening whistle at Camping World Stadium. Both teams entered the bowl after narrowly missing the College Football Playoff, but for BYU, the contest was also about proving their mettle without star running back LJ Martin, the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, who was sidelined following shoulder surgery. The Cougars’ offense, usually powered by Martin’s ground game, turned to true freshman quarterback Bear Bachmeier to carry the load against a Georgia Tech defense that had struggled down the stretch.
Bachmeier wasted no time showing why he’s considered one of the brightest young talents in college football. The freshman opened the game completing nine of his first ten passes, including a beautiful touchdown strike to senior wideout Chase Roberts late in the first quarter. That scoring play put BYU up 7-0, with Roberts hauling in his sixth touchdown of the year. By the end of the opening quarter, Bachmeier had already racked up 132 passing yards, setting the tone for a pass-heavy attack. "Bear Bachmeier's passing stats in BYU's first two offensive drives in the Pop-Tarts Bowl: 9-10, 97 yards, 1 TD, 204.5 QBR," reported Mitch Harper of KSL Sports.
But Georgia Tech, despite recent turbulence—including a 1-3 finish to the regular season and the departure of offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner—showed plenty of fight. Quarterback Haynes King, who had kept the Yellow Jackets’ offense efficient all season, led three consecutive scoring drives after an opening punt. By halftime, Georgia Tech had seized control, leading 21-10. The Cougars’ defense, missing star pass rusher Jack Kelly (who sat out likely in preparation for the NFL Draft), struggled to generate pressure, giving King time to pick apart the secondary.
BYU’s offense, meanwhile, found itself in unfamiliar territory. With both Martin and backup Sione Moa unavailable, offensive coordinator Aaron Roderick leaned even further into the air-raid philosophy. The Cougars’ first drive—12 plays, 74 yards—ended in disappointment when third-string running back Enoch Nawahine was stuffed on fourth-and-goal inside the one-yard line. Yet, the Cougars remained undeterred. Bachmeier, showing poise beyond his years, orchestrated a five-play, 62-yard drive capped by his touchdown pass to Roberts, keeping BYU within striking distance.
Georgia Tech’s defense, ranked 85th nationally and allowing over 400 yards per game, began to show cracks as the Cougars’ possession-heavy offense (averaging 32 minutes per game) wore them down. BYU’s defense, which had allowed the second-fewest rushing attempts in the Big 12 and boasted a red zone stop rate of nearly 73%, found its footing in the second half. Employing a classic bend-don’t-break approach, the Cougars limited the Yellow Jackets to just 101 yards in the third quarter and prevented any further scoring with a crucial red-zone turnover and a blocked field goal.
Momentum began to shift early in the fourth quarter. BYU, trailing 21-10, mounted an 11-play, 80-yard drive that ended with Nawahine redeeming himself on a two-yard touchdown run. Bachmeier then completed a gutsy two-point conversion, narrowing the deficit to 21-18 with plenty of time left on the clock. The Cougars’ defense responded with a critical stop, giving Bachmeier another chance to etch his name into BYU lore.
With just over six minutes remaining, Bachmeier guided a surgical drive deep into Georgia Tech territory. This time, it was freshman Jovesa Damuni who finished the job, plunging into the end zone for a short touchdown run. For the first time in over 40 minutes of game time, BYU had reclaimed the lead, 25-21. The stadium erupted, Cougar fans sensing history in the making.
But the drama was far from over. Georgia Tech, desperate to salvage their season, faced a daunting fourth-and-15 deep in their own territory. King, under pressure, found wide receiver Eric Rivers for a miraculous 66-yard gain, suddenly putting the Yellow Jackets inside the BYU 20-yard line. The pressure was palpable, but the Cougars’ defense—so often overshadowed this season—delivered when it mattered most. Three consecutive stops set up a do-or-die fourth down. King dropped back, fired toward the end zone, but BYU’s Evan Johnson stepped in front of the pass and intercepted it, sealing the victory.
"The victory gives BYU its 12th of the season, the program’s first 12-win campaign since 2001," wrote one account, capturing the significance of the moment. Bachmeier finished his MVP performance completing 27 of 38 passes for 325 yards, one touchdown, and just one interception, earning a 146 passer rating. In a game where BYU was missing its most dynamic offensive weapon, the freshman quarterback proved he’s more than ready for the spotlight. "In a game where BYU was missing its best offensive player in LJ Martin, Bachmeier, who was named MVP of the game, put the offense on his back and gave fans a true glimpse at what the next two to three years could look like."
The receiving corps also shined in their final appearances for BYU. Carsen Ryan, in his last game as a Cougar, tallied a career-best eight receptions for 120 yards. Chase Roberts, another senior, finished with seven catches for 57 yards and the all-important touchdown that started BYU’s scoring. The offensive line, facing a relentless Georgia Tech front, gave Bachmeier the protection he needed to work his magic.
For Georgia Tech, the loss marked the end of a rollercoaster season that began with eight straight wins but unraveled amid late-season defensive woes and coaching upheaval. Despite averaging 201 rushing yards per game and boasting a top-10 offense in success rate, the Yellow Jackets simply couldn’t match BYU’s discipline and resolve over four quarters.
With head coach Kalani Sitake locked into a new long-term deal and minimal roster turnover expected, the future looks bright for BYU. Their Pop-Tarts Bowl triumph wasn’t just about a single victory—it was a statement that the Cougars are here to stay among college football’s elite.
As the confetti settled in Orlando, Cougar fans could finally exhale. A 12-win season, a bowl comeback for the ages, and a freshman quarterback who just might be the next big thing in Provo—BYU football’s future has never looked sweeter.
