Georgia battles back to beat Ga. Tech in 8OT epic

Georgia Triumphs Over Georgia Tech in 8OT Thriller

ATHENS, Ga. — What a night in Athens! The No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs pulled off a heart-stopping 44-42 victory over their in-state rivals, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets, in an eight-overtime marathon that will go down in SEC history. Freshman Nate Frazier was the hero of the night, running for a 3-yard two-point conversion to seal the deal in the eighth overtime. The crowd at Sanford Stadium erupted in celebration as the Bulldogs extended their home win streak to 31 games and secured their seventh consecutive win over Georgia Tech in the rivalry known as Clean Old Fashioned Hate.

A Game for the Ages

Let’s set the stage: Georgia Tech came into the game as 17½-point underdogs but played like they had nothing to lose. The Yellow Jackets dominated the first half, taking a commanding 17-0 lead while Georgia’s offense sputtered. It was the first time since 2019 that the Bulldogs failed to score in the first half. By the fourth quarter, Georgia Tech was up 27-13 with just over five minutes left. It looked like the Yellow Jackets were on their way to a massive upset.

But Georgia wasn’t ready to roll over. The Bulldogs scored 21 points in the final 8:18 of regulation, including two touchdowns in the last 3:39, to force overtime. Quarterback Haynes King of Georgia Tech had been electric all night, but a costly fumble late in the fourth quarter gave Georgia the opening they needed. King’s fumble, caused by Georgia safety Dan Jackson and recovered by defensive end Chaz Chambliss, set up a game-tying touchdown pass from Georgia QB Carson Beck to Dominic Lovett with just over a minute left.

Overtime Chaos

What followed was nothing short of madness. Both teams traded blows in overtime, with neither able to land the knockout punch until the eighth extra period. Georgia Tech struck first in the fifth overtime when King connected with Malik Rutherford, but Georgia answered right back with a slant pass from Beck to Dillon Bell. The game seemed destined to go on forever as both teams failed to convert in the sixth and seventh overtimes.

Finally, in the eighth overtime, Georgia’s defense stepped up. Linebacker CJ Allen pressured King into throwing the ball out of the back of the end zone. That set the stage for Frazier’s game-winning run, a moment that will be etched in the memories of Georgia fans for years to come.

Key Performances

• Carson Beck: The Georgia quarterback threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns on 28-for-43 passing. His clutch performance in the fourth quarter and overtime was crucial to the Bulldogs’ comeback.
• Haynes King: Georgia Tech’s dual-threat QB was phenomenal, completing 26 of 36 passes for 303 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 110 yards and three scores. According to ESPN Research, King is the first player ever to record at least 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns against an AP top-10 team.
• Nate Frazier: The freshman running back delivered when it mattered most, scoring the game-winning two-point conversion in the eighth overtime.

Historical Context

This game wasn’t just thrilling—it was historic. The eight overtimes made it the longest game in SEC history and tied for the second-longest in college football history. Only the nine-overtime clash between Illinois and Penn State in 2021 lasted longer. Here’s a quick look at some of the longest games in college football history:

What’s Next?

For Georgia, this win keeps their College Football Playoff hopes alive and adds another chapter to their storied rivalry with Georgia Tech. For the Yellow Jackets, it’s a bitter pill to swallow, but they can hold their heads high after pushing one of the nation’s top teams to the brink.

One thing is for sure: this game will be talked about for years to come. Whether you’re a die-hard Georgia fan, a Georgia Tech supporter, or just a college football enthusiast, this was a game that reminded us why we love sports. It had everything—drama, history, and unforgettable moments. Clean Old Fashioned Hate? More like Clean Old Fashioned Classic.