As the fourth quarter commenced in Saturday's Pop-Tarts Bowl, Georgia Tech held a promising lead of 21-10 over BYU. However, the Cougars mounted an impressive comeback, scoring 15 unanswered points in the final minutes to secure a stunning 25-21 victory. The game concluded with an interception of quarterback Haynes King in the end zone, sealing Georgia Tech's fate.
In the postgame press conference, Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key congratulated BYU and their coach, Kalani Sitake, for their performance. “Congrats to BYU, Kalani and their victory in the game,” Key stated. “They are a good football team that plays the game the right way and plays hard.” Despite the loss, Key emphasized the importance of the game and the effort put forth by his players. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make plays down the stretch to secure the win. But I’m going to soak in every last moment that I have with these guys,” he added.
This season saw several teams opting out of bowl games, including Notre Dame, which previously declined Georgia Tech’s invitation to participate in the Pop-Tarts Bowl. Coach Key voiced his confusion over such decisions, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to compete. “Competitors compete. It doesn’t matter where it is, what time it is, or where you are playing,” he said. “I really don’t understand the narrative that has been created over the last couple of years about these bowl games not being important. There are 365 days in a year that we live, breathe, and work for 12 guaranteed opportunities. This is a game, and it is another chance to play.”
In his three seasons as Georgia Tech’s full-time head coach, Key has led the team to a 23-16 record, positioning the program as a serious contender in the ACC once again. He credited the current seniors, including King, for establishing a strong team culture and identity. “That was established by these seniors and by these guys. When you have that set the right way, regardless of who comes into your program, those remaining players carry it on,” Key explained. “They know what they wanted to do.”
With the loss, Georgia Tech concluded the season with a record of 9-4 after an impressive start with eight consecutive wins. “We have work to do. We need to ensure we have the best roster and put together the best staff possible,” Key said. “The next season will come quickly, and we must continue the identity these players have built. We have a lot of work ahead.” He acknowledged that the team is ultimately judged by wins and losses but reiterated that success comes from having the right framework in place, where players and staff share a common vision.