BYU rallies in 2nd half to defeat Georgia Tech in Pop-Tarts Bowl

ORLANDO (AP) — BYU could have been disappointed it missed out on an invite to the College Football Playoff, and the Cougars could have let that disappointment carry over into their postseason.

Instead, the No. 12 Cougars (12-2) rallied from an 11-point deficit in the second half and beat No. 24 Georgia Tech 25-21 on Saturday in a far less meaningful bowl game.

BYU and Georgia Tech took their roles in the Pop-Tarts Bowl seriously, and it showed. The Cougars rallied to take the lead with two minutes left against the Yellow Jackets and then, with less than 10 seconds remaining, Evan Johnson picked off a pass by Georgia Tech’s Haynes King in the endzone.

The Cougars hoisted Johnson onto their shoulders and carried him toward the bench to celebrate the victory.

BYU and Georgia Tech (9-4) showed that the game mattered, even if it was not a playoff game and the celebration involved the ritualistic sacrifice of a pastry mascot and tongue-in-cheek shirts that read "The People's National Champions."

"It just so happened we were outside of (the playoff), and that's OK," BYU coach Kalani Sitake said. "I love the maturity from our players. We earned another chance to play a game and these guys came here with a great attitude being here and had so much appreciation and gratitude of being invited to the Pop-Tarts Bowl."

There was indeed a celebration, even with the reserved Sitake chowing down on a postgame snack. The bowl game leans into absurdity.

But there was also a football game — one of only three games between teams ranked in the final CFP standings outside of the playoff. And, both programs had something to play for.

Both teams wanted to play the game. Neither team reported any opt-outs due to NFL draft prep or the transfer portal.

The programs are trying to make their mark in their respective conferences. The only way to do that is to play. And they were eager and up to the competition.

"It doesn't matter where it is, when it is, what time it is, who you are playing, competitors compete," Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said. "We will always have a team of competitors. I'm a competitor. That's what we do. I don't understand the narrative that's been created the last couple of years about these games aren't important."

The Yellow Jackets had plenty on the line — their first 10-win season since 2014 and just the 10th in school history. There was clearly disappointment that they fell just short, losing an 11-point second-half lead and falling on an interception in the endzone in the game’s final seconds.

Both teams could have been too upset to finish their season in the bowl game. Instead, the teams capped historic seasons. It gave these bowl games just a little bit of meaning, even if it was not the ultimate prize.

Sitake said he believed last year's Alamo Bowl win helped prepare the team for its breakthrough season. He believes this win will do the same heading into next season.

"That's how you do things in life," Sitake said. "If it's not the way you want it to go, that’s OK. Your reaction is what everyone is going to define you with."

Red Zone trouble

The game was defined by red zone troubles.

BYU took the opening drive and went for it on fourth and one, but Enoch Nawahine was stopped at the 1-yard line. The Cougars were 4 for 6 in the red zone, throwing an interception in the end zone in the third quarter.

Georgia Tech converted early, but ended the game 3 for 6 in the red zone, too. The Yellow Jackets fumbled the ball after a short catch in the third quarter at the 11-yard line. Aiden Birr's 35-yard field goal late in the third quarter was blocked.

The game ended on a BYU interception in the end zone.

Jackets history

With a throw late in the second quarter, King set a Georgia Tech record for completions in a career. King finished his career with 676 completions in three seasons with the Yellow Jackets, passing Reggie Ball's mark of 662 completions.

King also became the second player in Yellow Jackets' history with 10,000 total yards, joining Joe Hamilton, who played at Georgia Tech from 1996-99 and tallied 10,640 yards.

“The way he affects others around him is unlike anything I've ever seen,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said. “He is infectious the way he does things. He affects every single person on the football team. Those people come around once every 20-30 years.”

King finished his career with 10,184 yards of total offense.

The takeaway

Georgia Tech: The Yellow Jackets ended a breakthrough season with Brent Key in disappointment, losing their final three games to miss out on the ACC championship game and College Football Playoff.

BYU: The Cougars scored another bowl victory and won their 12th game of the season, the first time BYU has won 12 games in a season since 2001.

Up next

Georgia Tech is to open its 2026 season at home against Colorado on Sept. 5.

BYU will open the 2026 season at home against Utah Tech on Sept. 5.