The second Pop Tart bowl had it all: A close competitive game, big plays, memorable moments…and a slightly disturbing sacrifice of a sentient baked good. Following up on last year’s trophy celebration that went viral, once again the victors in one of the newest bowl games on the college football slate celebrated by eating a giant pop tart, which came out the other end of a giant “toaster” that cooked one of three pop tart flavors who were represented in mascot form.

In the Pop-Tarts Bowl’s first edition under that name in 2023, there was only one Pop Tart mascot roaming the field. That mascot, representing the “frosted strawberry” flavor, drew fans’ attention with a collection of antics throughout the game before being lowered into the toaster and eaten by the victorious Kansas State Wildcats.

This time around, things were a little different. In 2024, the Pop-Tarts Bowl featured three separate flavors of Pop-Tart mascots, with the MVP of the game given the responsibility of choosing which flavor would be lowered into the gigantic toaster to be heated up until ejected in edible form for the awaiting victors below.

This time, the victorious team was Iowa State, who triumphed thanks to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minute in a 42-41 thrill ride. Rocco Becht, who scored that touchdown, was given the MVP award for the bowl game thanks to that winning score plus three passing touchdowns.

Asked in the postgame ceremony which flavor of Pop-Tart he wanted to celebrate by eating, Becht was unequivocal. “Cinnamon Roll,” he said, spurning Wild Berry and Hot Fudge Sundae.

“Mouth heaven gained another angel” said the official Pop-Tarts Bowl X account of the subsequent carnage, which saw the flavor climb up a wobbly staircase to the top of the roaster before being handed a sign reading “follow your dreams” and descending in what one can only assume was a fiery, tasty hell within.

When Cinnamon Roll came out the other end, Becht and the rest of the Iowa State team enjoyed his remains as Wild Berry and Hot Fudge Sundae looked on, their beaming smiles remaining as if permanently affixed.