BYU Cougars Football 2025 Champions Pop Tarts Bowl

Kalani Sitake Goes Viral After Devouring a Pop-Tart Following BYU’s Bowl Win

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Kalani Sitake delivered one of the most memorable moments of bowl season — and it had nothing to do with play-calling.

After No. 12 BYU completed a dramatic 25–21 comeback win over No. 22 Georgia Tech in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, the Cougars’ head coach celebrated in unforgettable fashion. Sitake pulled a Pop-Tart from the football-shaped toaster trophy and ate it whole.

In just one second.

The clip of Sitake inhaling the Pop-Tart quickly spread across social media, turning the BYU coach into an unexpected viral star.

Social media reacts to Kalani Sitake’s Pop-Tart moment

Front Office Sports shared the video on X, where it surpassed 370,000 views in a short time. Fans and analysts alike couldn’t get enough of the moment.

“We should all attack every aspect of our lives the way Kalani Sitake attacks a Pop-Tart,” ESPN senior writer Ryan McGee posted — a tweet that drew more than 35,000 views.

The clip captured the energy of BYU’s thrilling bowl victory and added a lighthearted twist to the postgame celebration.

Joey Chestnut comparisons quickly follow

Almost immediately, Sitake’s Pop-Tart consumption sparked comparisons to competitive eating legend Joey Chestnut.

Bleacher Report described the moment as “Joey Chestnut style,” while The Athletic said Sitake went “Joey Chestnut-mode” on the Pop-Tart trophy. Fans joined in with jokes, with one user saying the nation had “failed” if Sitake wasn’t invited to the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest.

Joey Chestnut weighs in on Sitake’s feat

The viral moment even caught Chestnut’s attention.

247Sports reporter Jeff Hansen tagged the 17-time Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest champion in a post asking if he would visit BYU. Chestnut didn’t confirm any appearance, but he did offer high praise.

“The man is a beast!” Chestnut replied. “And that trophy is next level.”

Chestnut’s approval only added fuel to the viral fire.

Could Joey Chestnut vs. Kalani Sitake ever happen?

Chestnut owns some of the most impressive records in competitive eating history, including 76 hot dogs in 10 minutes and 121 Twinkies in six minutes. He has even eaten 100 Pop-Tarts in about 30 minutes during a 2020 YouTube livestream.

However, a Pop-Tart showdown with Sitake seems unlikely.

Chestnut has previously called Pop-Tarts one of the worst food challenges he’s ever attempted, citing dryness and mouth irritation.

Still, Sitake’s one-second Pop-Tart performance has already secured its place as one of the most entertaining moments of the 2025 bowl season — and a reminder that college football celebrations can be just as memorable as the games themselves.