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Pop-Tarts Bowl once again off the rails as Iowa State comes back vs. Miami

Only in its second season, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is already notorious for the pageantry and whimsy surrounding its football game.

Damon Allred BY DAMON ALLRED
Dec 28, 2024, 5:35 PM
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Pop-Tarts Bowl mascots meet pregame...

The Pop-Tart mascots shake hands prior to the 2024 Pop-Tarts Bowl between the Miami Hurricanes and the Iowa State Cyclones at Camping World Stadium on Dec. 28, 2024 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)


Only in its second season, the Pop-Tarts Bowl is already notorious for the pageantry and whimsy surrounding its football game, including a tribute to and resurrection of last year’s eaten mascot early in the contest.

The three mascots vying to be eaten — and Pop-Tarts has made it clear: yes, they do want to be toasted and eaten — came out onto the field in their aluminum wrapping before revealing themselves as Cinnamon Roll, Wild Berry and Hot Fudge Sundae.

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But Saturday’s game itself was pretty whimsical starting with the first play from scrimmage. A botched snap prevented Heisman finalist and Miami quarterback Cam Ward from getting his offense off and running, and Iowa State found the end zone several plays later.

The score started a back-and-forth run of eight straight touchdowns before either team was stopped.

Despite a second fumble and a field goal settled for later in the half, the ACC runner up Hurricanes held a 31-28 lead at the half over Big 12 runner up Iowa State. Ward would take himself out at halftime after becoming the Division 1 all-time leader in career passing touchdowns.

The Cyclones took a 42-41 lead in the final minute on a Rocco Becht sneak and the Iowa State defense held on to secure the win. Becht won the game’s MVP award, and Cinnamon Roll earned the honor of getting eaten.

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A closer look at the antics of the Pop-Tarts Bowl

There’s nothing that says college football like a combination of football and breakfast mascots, so the three mascots participated in combine drills at halftime.

Even the goalposts were dressed up in aluminum for the occasion.

With how the College Football Playoff, transfer portal and NFL draft have all impacted bowl seasons, the Pop-Tarts Bowl serving as the most light-hearted and fun-filled bowl game preserves some of what has made bowls magical.

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Damon Allred
Damon Allred ASU reporter, ArizonaSports.com editor

Damon Allred is the Arizona State reporter for Arizona Sports and is a web editor for arizonasports.com and KTAR.com. Born and raised in the Valley, Damon has lived in the metro Phoenix area for most of his life. He began covering ASU in fall 2024… Read more

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