ATHENS, Ga. — In a game for the ages, No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs staged an electrifying comeback to defeat their arch-rivals, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, 44-42 in an unprecedented 8-overtime battle. The victory, achieved under the bright lights of Sanford Stadium on Friday night, marked the longest game in SEC history and added another chapter to the storied "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate" rivalry.
A Game of Grit and Determination
The Bulldogs overcame a 17-point halftime deficit, their largest comeback since 2006, showcasing resilience and an unyielding fighting spirit. Freshman Nate Frazier became the hero of the night, capping the marathon match with a decisive 3-yard run for a 2-point conversion in the eighth overtime, sending Georgia fans into a euphoric frenzy.
“People were getting worn down, but Nate has that electric ability to hit the hole hard,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. “I guess we blocked it right because it hit up in there.”
A Rollercoaster of Momentum Shifts
The Yellow Jackets, heavy underdogs coming into the game, dominated the first half with a commanding 17-0 lead. Georgia's usually sharp offense faltered, failing to score a first-half point for the first time since 2019. Yet, the Bulldogs came alive in the fourth quarter, scoring 21 points in the final 8:18 to force overtime.
Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King delivered a standout performance, throwing for 303 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 110 yards and three additional scores. His heroics kept the Yellow Jackets in contention, but a critical fumble late in regulation turned the tide.
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Overcoming the Odds
With just over two minutes remaining in regulation, Georgia’s defense delivered a game-changing play. Safety Dan Jackson forced a fumble on third-and-1, recovered by defensive end Chaz Chambliss, setting the stage for a dramatic touchdown by Georgia quarterback Carson Beck. Beck, who threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns, connected with Dominic Lovett for a 3-yard score, tying the game at 27 with 61 seconds to spare.
The overtime periods that followed were a test of endurance and strategy. Both teams traded touchdowns in the first overtime, missed 2-point conversions in the second, and remained deadlocked through six additional periods of back-and-forth drama.
“It's tough to lose like this,” said Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key. “I told the guys there are no moral victories, but I’m proud of their effort and fight.”
A Record-Setting Night
The game clock ticked past midnight before Frazier's decisive run ended the marathon, just one overtime shy of the all-time FBS record set by Illinois and Penn State in 2021.
Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker summed up the sentiment of many: “I ain't never seen anything like that. I ain’t watching no football game that long.”
The win extended Georgia’s home winning streak to 31 games and marked their seventh consecutive victory over Georgia Tech. The Bulldogs also improved their record to 10-2, likely securing a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff field.
Eyes on the Championship
With this historic victory in the books, Georgia now turns its focus to the SEC Championship Game on December 7. They will face the winner of Saturday's showdown between No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M. A win would likely guarantee the Bulldogs a first-round bye and a top-four seed in the playoffs.
“Our opportunity is in front of us,” Smart said. “We’ve got to play well against a good team and keep getting better.”
Georgia Tech’s Heartbreak
For the Yellow Jackets, the loss was a bitter pill to swallow. After leading for most of the game and coming tantalizingly close to an upset, they now face an offseason of reflection.
King, however, earned praise for his gritty performance. “He’s a warrior,” Key said. “He wills others around him, and I’m proud of how hard he fought.”
A Game to Remember
This marathon showdown will go down as one of the most thrilling chapters in college football history. From Georgia’s unlikely comeback to the intense overtime battle, fans witnessed a spectacle that embodied the passion and unpredictability of the sport.
For now, Georgia celebrates a hard-fought victory, while Georgia Tech leaves Athens with heads held high, knowing they pushed their rivals to the brink.
