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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michelle R. Martinelli

The 11 best moments from the Pop-Tarts Bowl that had nothing to do with the game

Football Kansas State PopTarts Bowl Rodger Sherman NC State Poptarts Yahoo Sports

Some college football bowl games massively disappoint. Some exceed your wildest expectations. And Thursday’s Pop-Tarts Bowl at Camping World Stadium in Orlando was definitely the latter.

Yes, Kansas State topped NC State, 28-19, and that’s great for the Wildcats.

But let’s face it: The real winners of the Pop-Tarts Bowl were fans who watched the game and got treated to an abundance of Pop-Tarts-themed fun and mayhem. And the sponsorship and product placement worked because if you watched any part of this game, chances are you ended up craving Pop-Tarts at some point.

RELATED: The Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot menacingly creeping behind a referee became an instant meme

While the matchup itself was exciting, the scene around the Pop-Tarts Bowl was exceptional and seemingly shot this game up to one of the favorite bowls among college football fans (RIP Cheez-It Bowl).

So here are our favorite moments from the bowl that had absolutely nothing to do with the game.

Feature image courtesy of ESPN.

1
The pregame toaster and Pop-Tarts mascot's entrance

This was incredible. The Pop-Tarts mascot popped out of a giant toaster on the field for an incredible, peak college football bowl season moment.

The Pop-Tarts Bowl (non-edible) mascot popped out of a toaster, and it was glorious

2
Learning the history of Pop-Tarts

Did YOU know Pop-Tarts were originally introduced in 1964 and were named Fruit Scone? We’re glad the name was ultimately changed.

3
The media Pop-Tart spread

A+ press box treats.

4
This hilarious call on the broadcast

“Here’s the sad part of the story: After the game he will be devoured, he will die and he will be his own last meal.”

Technically, this isn’t actually the edible Pop-Tarts mascot, but the joke is perfect.

5
The Pop-Tarts mascot attempting to catch an errant field goal

OK, so this one kind of has to do with the game considering NC State missed this third-quarter 52-yard field goal. But it still counts.

6
All types of mascots dancing!

7
Multiple Pop-Tarts mascots!

8
Kansas State coach Chris Klieman getting a Pop-Tarts bath

We wanted a Pop-Tarts bath, and we got it!

Ranking the 13 best (edible) things college football players could dump on bowl-winning coaches (2023)

9
Kansas State eating the edible Pop-Tarts mascot

The non-edible Pop-Tarts Bowl mascot went back into the toaster, and out came the edible one!

RIP.

10
This extraordinary Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy

Kansas State offensive lineman Cooper Beebe, left, and offensive lineman KT Leveston hold up the championship trophy after winning the Pop-Tarts Bowl NCAA college football game against North Carolina State, Thursday, Dec. 28, 2023, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Seriously, this is one of the best bowl trophies ever.

The partially edible Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy deliciously captures the essence of college football

11
And, of course, fans debating the best flavor

So many to choose from, but a lot of folks think there’s a correct answer.

More NCAAF

Notre Dame showered Marcus Freeman with a Frosted Flakes bath after Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl win

James Franklin’s ideas for overhauling college football include a commissioner and NFL collaboration

Catapult, the app Alabama banned players from using, says NCAA is investigating alleged unauthorized access to football video footage

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