Without a necropsy there is no way to be sure~ but my GUESS would Respitory Infection based on the head lifting and the sputem you describe. I don't know if he had it when you got him or picked it up with you.
Couple tips for next time~
Clean EVERYTHING with 10% bleach water and rinse VERY well before you try again
He can eat anything up to 1 1/2 times the thickest part of his body~ but a rat pup about the same width as the thickest part of his body is usually what I go for on a young BP
Don't feed or attempt to feed for 10 days after a regurge
Good luck!