Quick Read
- The Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy is a fully functional toaster engineered by GE Appliances’ FirstBuild lab.
- BYU defeated Georgia Tech 31-23, fueled by playoff snub motivation and strong quarterback play.
- Fans enjoyed Pop-Tarts-themed food, edible mascots, and snack-decorated helmets at the Orlando event.
In the kaleidoscope of college football, the Pop-Tarts Bowl has carved out a space that’s as quirky as it is competitive. By the winter of 2025, this Orlando-based bowl game had become a pop culture phenomenon, thanks to a viral trophy, snack-themed spectacles, and a football matchup that gave snubbed teams a chance to make their mark.
Let’s start with the trophy. After Iowa State’s win in 2024, receiver Jaylin Noel famously grabbed the Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy and ran off with it, exclaiming, “It’s a freakin’ toaster, man.” He wasn’t wrong. The trophy, engineered by Josh Price of GE Appliances’ FirstBuild lab, is literally a working toaster housed inside a glimmering football shell. The origins of this eccentric prize trace back to fan questions: was the trophy a real, functional toaster? In 2023, it wasn’t. By 2024, thanks to a partnership between Pop-Tarts and GE Appliances, it absolutely was—and Price had to hand out safety instructions along with the hardware.
The engineering challenge was no joke. Price and his team stripped down an actual toaster, modeled the design using CAD, and then CNC-machined over 300 pounds of aluminum for the football halves. The trophy’s insides are decked out with Pop-Tarts’ iconic sprinkles pattern, and every detail, from the polished laces to the hidden levers, was hand-crafted. The end result: a showpiece that’s both a kitchen appliance and a piece of college football history. Its debut was dramatic—during a live ESPN segment, the Pop-Tarts unexpectedly launched out of the toaster and onto the floor, prompting a “five-second rule!” joke and a flurry of texts from engineers and brand managers alike. For Price, the moment was a mix of triumph and chaos, especially after he got blasted by a confetti cannon during the on-field presentation.
But the Pop-Tarts Bowl is more than viral trophies. It’s a showcase for teams just outside the College Football Playoff spotlight. In 2025, BYU arrived with something to prove after being snubbed by the playoff committee in favor of Miami. The Cougars were riding high from an 11-2 season, their best since joining the Big 12, but a tough loss to Texas Tech in the conference title game left them hungry for redemption. Georgia Tech, their opponent, had started the season strong but stumbled late, entering the bowl shorthanded due to injuries to key defenders like Clayton Powell-Lee and Brayden Manley (Atlanta Journal-Constitution).
On paper, BYU’s offense had the advantage, especially with quarterback Bear Bachmeier returning from injury. Despite missing star running back LJ Martin, the Cougars leaned on Bachmeier’s dual-threat abilities (11 rushing TDs) and a balanced attack. Georgia Tech’s defense, ranked near the bottom in opponent-adjusted metrics, struggled to contain BYU’s drives. Conversely, Georgia Tech’s offense, led by dynamic QB Haynes King (2,697 passing yards, 922 rushing yards), tried to keep pace behind an explosive run game, but faced a disciplined BYU defense that ranked top-25 in both pass and rush defense (Pick Six Previews).
The game itself was a throwback—most players stayed, avoiding the recent trend of bowl opt-outs and transfer portal distractions. BYU’s team, laser-focused and fueled by the perceived playoff snub, came out swinging. Star linebacker Isaiah Glasker put it plainly: “We feel like we should have been in the playoffs, but that is enough of a driving factor for us. … We are going to be ready to show out in the bowl game.” The result matched the sentiment: BYU won 31-23, controlling the game through efficient offense and opportunistic defense.
Beyond the field, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is about the spectacle. Fans arriving in Orlando were treated to a culinary carnival: Pop-Tarts nachos, loaded Frosted S’mores, vanilla pudding-strawberry trifles, and even deep-fried Pop-Tarts. The food exhibition, snack-themed helmets (including Georgia Tech’s sprinkle helmet), and edible mascots turned the stadium into a sugary wonderland (From The Rumble Seat).
The bowl’s entertainment-first philosophy is intentional. As Matt Repchak, Florida Citrus Sports’ CMO, explained, “We’re not the Rose Bowl, but we’re always going to be fun to watch.” Last year’s ratings—6.8 million viewers, more than some playoff games—prove that the mix of football and fun is working. The Pop-Tarts Bowl has inspired other bowls to up their game, with mayo baths and eggnog showers becoming staples elsewhere.
As for the trophy, its legacy is growing. After earning a spot at the College Football Hall of Fame and a permanent banner at FirstBuild, it stands as a testament to college football’s capacity for innovation and joy. This year, the engineers improved the trophy’s performance, cutting toasting time in half and making it more reliable—proof that even in sports, the science never stops.
In the end, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is more than a consolation prize; it’s a stage where overlooked teams, snack brands, and inventive minds come together to celebrate football in the most unexpected ways. BYU’s victory was a statement, but the true legacy may be a toaster trophy that’s “awesomer” than even the light bulb—because it reminds us that joy and ingenuity belong at the heart of the game.
Citations: ESPN, Pick Six Previews, From The Rumble Seat, Atlanta Journal-Constitution