BYU rallies from double-digit deficit to defeat Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl

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ORLANDO, Fla. — The Pop-Tarts Bowl lived up to its sponsor’s motto, “It’s Crazy Good.”

No. 12 BYU rallied from a double-digit deficit in the fourth quarter to slip past No. 22 Georgia Tech, 25-21, savoring a comeback win in Saturday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium.

Running back Jovesa Damuni pushed his way into the end zone with two minutes left in the game to give the Cougars the thrilling win.

Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King nearly pulled off a miracle finish, completing a 66-yard pass on fourth-and-15 to give the Yellow Jackets a chance, but his last-second pass in the end zone was intercepted.

BYU (12-2) capped off its first 12-win season since 2001 and the fifth 12-plus win season since 1922.

The Cougars celebrated their first victory in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, adding to their previous wins over Ohio State in the Florida Citrus Bowl (1985) and Oklahoma State in the Tangerine Bowl (1976).

Georgia Tech (9-4), meanwhile, ends the season on a two-game losing streak. The nine wins are the most by a Yellow Jackets’ team since 2016.

“Unfortunately, we didn’t make plays down the stretch to be able to come out with a win again,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said. “Credit to BYU for how they played, but I’m gonna soak in every last moment I have with these guys.”

Damuni, who stepped up after starter LJ Martin was unavailable for the game due to injury, led the team with 48 rushing yards.

BYU opened the game with an impressive 6-minute drive, moving the ball all the way to the Georgia Tech 1-yard line. Choosing to take a chance on fourth-and-1, Enoch Nawahine ran into Yellow Jackets linebacker Kyle Efford, who managed to stop the redshirt senior running back just short of the end zone, resulting in a turnover on downs.

Georgia Tech struggled to find its rhythm and quickly returned the ball to BYU after a punt.

The Cougars capitalized on the opportunity, marching down the field with precision, largely thanks to the arm of quarterback Bear Bachmeier. The true freshman completed nine of his first 10 passes, capped off by a 7-yard touchdown pass to receiver Chase Roberts, which put BYU ahead 7-0 early in the game.

Georgia Tech mounted an impressive drive of its own, reaching the BYU 3-yard line. On fourth down, it opted for a creative play, setting up for a field-goal attempt before shifting into a short-yardage formation. Running back Trelain Maddox took the direct snap and slipped into the end zone for a touchdown, bringing the score to 7-7.

BYU tacked on a 22-yard field goal by Will Ferrin in the second quarter to retake the lead at 10-7.

Georgia Tech responded with a 10-play drive, capped off by a 5-yard touchdown pass from King to receiver Eric Rivers. On the ensuing kickoff, BYU returner Cody Hagen fumbled and GT recovered the football.

Tight end J.T. Byrne snagged a 6-yard King pass for a touchdown as the Yellow Jackets extended their lead to 21-10.

Georgia Tech opened the second half by driving to the BYU 11, looking to put the game away, but Yellow Jackets receiver Jordan Allen fumbled a pass from King and it was recovered by the Cougars on the 31.

Seven plays later, Bachmeier tried to thread a pass into the end zone for receiver Parker Kingston, but GT cornerback Rodney Shelley stepped in front of the ball and intercepted it.

The Jackets put together a six-minute drive, but a 35-yard field-goal attempt by kicker Aidan Birr was blocked by BYU nose tackle Keanu Tanuvasa.

The Cougars took over, driving 80 yards before Nawahine plunged into the end zone to cut the lead to 20-16. On the ensuing two-point conversion, Bachmeier scrambled out of the pocket and scored to make it 20-18.

Bachmeier finished 27 of 38 for 325 yards with a touchdown and an interception, while his counterpart, King, was 22 of 40 for 254 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added 27 yards on the ground.

“I guess you say I had a great career. Thankful for it, for sure, but to me it’s almost like I didn’t get the job done, didn’t find a way to help my teammates, at least one more time,” King said. “It doesn’t feel good, but at the end of the day, you know the next day, the sun’s gonna come up, birds gonna chirp, everything’s gonna be all right.”

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