The BYU Cougars (12-2) took on the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (9-4) on Saturday afternoon in the Pop-Tarts Bowl from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida. Georgia Tech had a commanding 21-10 lead at halftime. However, BYU’s defense shut out the Yellow Jackets in the second half, while the Cougars scored 15 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to defeat Georgia Tech by the final score of 25-21. It was BYU’s third straight bowl victory.
BYU’s offense had 425 yards (325 yards passing, 100 yards rushing), 26 first downs, and the team was penalized four times for 49 yards. Quarterback Bear Bachmeier completed 27 of 38 passes (71.1%) for 325 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Running back Jovesa Damuni had seven carries for 48 yards, one rushing touchdown, and three catches for 19 yards, while Enoch Nawahine had 10 carries for 32 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Carsen Ryan made eight catches for 120 yards, and Chase Roberts made seven catches for 57 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Will Ferrin made one field goal for 22 yards and made two extra points. The defense made 59 tackles, four tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, one interception, and two pass breakups.
Georgia Tech’s offense had 386 yards (254 yards passing, 132 yards rushing), 21 first downs, and the team was penalized seven times for 53 yards. Quarterback Haynes King completed 22 of 40 passes (55%) for 254 yards, two touchdowns, one interception, and seven carries for 31 yards.
Running back Malachi Hosley had 11 carries for 64 yards and one catch for 13 yards, while Trelain Maddox had one carry for three yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Malik Rutherford made eight catches for 105 yards, while Eric Rivers made four catches for 102 yards and one touchdown, and J.T. Byrne made one catch for six yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Aidan Birr missed a field goal and made three extra points. The defense made 54 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and four pass breakups.
