"Person in charge of budget for this is so fired": Fans go mad at Iowa State's Pop-Tarts Bowl celebration with live toaster

The Pop-Tarts Bowl proved to be a big win for the No. 19 Iowa State, led by Rocco Becht, who defeated the No. 16 Miami 42-41 in a dramatic contest.

The celebrations hit peak fun on Saturday night, quite literally devouring the game’s mascot. The human-sized Pop-Tart mascot emerged from a massive toaster during the postgame festivities, only to meet its "delicious" fate at the hands of the Cyclones.

Two other Pop-Tart mascots added to the spectacle as they stood solemnly with roses. However, the “toasted” mascot left fans with a heartfelt message via a sign that read, “Follow your dreams.” A ceremony clip quickly went viral with the caption:

“The moment we've all been waiting for. Iowa State QB and Pop-Tarts Bowl MVP Rocco Becht chooses Cinnamon Roll to get toasted. Then it happens.”

Naturally, fans on social media lost their collective minds and were quick to joke about the event's over-the-top nature, with comments like:

“The person in charge of the budget for this is so fired.”

Another praised the show, saying:

“Gotta love the marketing team effort that created an engaging brand-building bowl game. Fun!”

Fans also shared their favorites, commenting:

“I’d go with cherry pop tarts. We have to stay true to the classics!”

“Our god is an awesome god,” said a hilarious comment with a GIF.

Amusingly, a fan was swayed to the point that he wrote:

“My son gotta go to UGA or die trying.”

“A brave decision, the right call,” wrote a fan for Rocco Becht, who chose a cinnamon roll flavor for the team.

The unique celebration drew praise for its commitment to the gimmick, and the Pop-Tarts Bowl might have become a quirky and sugary spectacle in the world of bowl games.

History of Pop-Tarts Bowl

The Pop-Tarts Bowl, known for its quirky mascot celebrations, has a fascinating history dating back to its debut in 1990 as the Blockbuster Bowl. Originally held in Miami, the game featured marquee matchups like Florida State's win over Penn State in its inaugural year, drawing over 74,000 fans.

Despite early success, declining attendance prompted the game to move to Orlando’s Camping World Stadium in 2001. The event soon captured fan attention more than ever, making it a staple of the college football calendar.

Since its inception, the bowl has undergone 12 name changes, reflecting shifts in sponsorships. From the Sunshine Classic and Blockbuster Bowl to the Cheez-It Bowl, it finally became the Pop-Tarts Bowl in 2023, embracing its playful branding with edible mascots and fan-friendly thrillers.

Traditionally, the game pits top teams from the ACC and Big 12, delivering competitive matchups year after year.

Recent iterations have leaned into the spectacle, featuring creative celebrations like players "eating" the mascot and showcasing the Pop-Tarts brand in unique ways.

This year’s game between No. 16 Miami Hurricanes and No. 19 Iowa State Cyclones continued the tradition, making it another hit amongst the fans and followers.