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Pop-Tarts Bowl is unhinged: Zombie Strawberry mascot emerges atop scoreboard during tribute video
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Pop-Tarts Bowl fans were treated to an absolute show in the first half, as Miami and Iowa State traded explosives and points. The two sides cleared 40 total points in the first 16:27 of the game. The live total with less than 10 minutes to play in the first half was sitting at 103.5 at FanDuel. Defense wasn’t just optional, it was discouraged.
But the on-field fireworks weren’t the only theatrics. Yes, 3 mascots for the bowl game — Wild Berry, Hot Fudge Sundae, and Cinnamon Roll — were introduced in raucous fashion. But there was also a moment in the first quarter where last year’s mascot, Frosted Strawberry, was honored on the video board with an “In Memorium” tribute. Strawberry was tragically taken during last year’s bowl game, toasted for the winning team to eat after the game.
While the tribute video was playing, the mangled remains of Frosted Strawberry walked out onto the scoreboard in Camping World Stadium.
Here’s a closer look at Zombie Strawberry:
And if that wasn’t enough, the organizers also set up a memorial outside the stadium for fans to pay their respects to Frosted Strawberry.
Cam Ward started for Miami in the bowl game despite being viewed as a first-round lock in the 2025 NFL Draft. Rocco Becht started at quarterback for Iowa State, which was a Big 12 title game away from the College Football Playoff. Don’t say bowl games don’t matter. The Pop-Tarts Bowl, through some brilliantly chaotic marketing, has become a marquee event in 2 short years.
The bowl will award a trophy with a built-in functioning toaster to the winner. The MVP of the game will get to pick 1 of the 3 mascots to be eaten.
Strawberry will soon have a friend.
Derek Peterson does a bit of everything, not unlike Taysom Hill. He has covered Oklahoma, Nebraska, the Pac-12, and now delivers CFB-wide content.
