The Pop-Tarts Bowl might be one of the most anticipated bowl games this season, and not solely because of an intriguing North Carolina State–Kansas State matchup.
To wit, the winning team will have a chance to eat the Pop-Tarts mascot after the game. It’s being billed as the first edible mascot in sports history.
NC State coach Dave Doeren was asked about his thoughts on potentially having to take a bite of the mascot Sunday, and he offered some interesting questions in return.
“Man, I guess I would have to, wouldn’t I?” Doeren said, via The News & Observer’s Jadyn Adams. “I’m not gonna be the guy that doesn’t do that. What flavor is it going to be?”
Unfortunately for Doeren, bowl representatives aren’t revealing that answer yet. For what it’s worth , the Pop-Tarts Bowl advertisement shows an animated version of a strawberry pastry, but that doesn’t necessarily reflect the flavor of the game’s official mascot.
So, Doeren moved on to another question.
“Can I chase down the Pop-Tart with a nice bourbon or something like that afterwards? Is that part of the Pop-Tart experience or not?”
“I think we could arrange that if you want it,” a game representative replied. “We will make it a little tasting.”
That surely would make things interesting.
I also asked Doeren if he’d take a bite out of the edible Pop Tart mascot if State wins.
— Jadyn Adams (@jwatsonfisher) December 3, 2023
Here’s how that went. Get me the Pulitzer Prize for capital J journalism. pic.twitter.com/NUiGQabobR
Fans will get to see for themselves which team will take a bite of the Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot on Dec. 28, with kickoff between the No. 18 Wolfpack (9–3) and No. 25 Wildcats (8–4) scheduled for 5:45 p.m. ET at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.