ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia freshman Nate Frazier delivered a decisive 3-yard run for a 2-point conversion in the eighth overtime, propelling the No. 7 Bulldogs to a heart-stopping 44-42 victory over Georgia Tech at Sanford Stadium. The marathon game, the longest in SEC history, showcased extraordinary resilience from both teams and kept fans on the edge of their seats until just after midnight.
Georgia Tech had possession to start the eighth overtime but came up empty when quarterback Haynes King, pressured by linebacker CJ Allen, overthrew his target in the end zone. Georgia wasted no time capitalizing on the opportunity. Frazier took a handoff and powered up the middle, sealing the victory and igniting wild celebrations among the home crowd.
"People were tired. People were worn down," said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. "But Frazier’s ability to hit the hole hard made the difference. That’s what we needed to end it."
The victory capped an unforgettable night in the intrastate rivalry known as "Clean Old-Fashioned Hate." It extended Georgia’s home winning streak to 31 games and marked their seventh consecutive triumph over Georgia Tech. But few of those wins came as dramatically as this one.
Trailing 17-0 at halftime and struggling offensively, the Bulldogs mounted a furious fourth-quarter comeback, scoring 21 points in the final 8:18 of regulation to tie the game at 27. It was the first time since 2006 that Georgia had overcome a deficit of 17 or more points and only the second time in two decades they rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit.
The game’s extended overtime periods added to the drama. Both teams converted touchdowns and extra points in the first overtime to tie at 34. In the second overtime, each team failed to execute 2-point conversions, keeping the score at 40. From the third overtime onward, when rules required only 2-point attempts, the game became a battle of missed opportunities, with neither team scoring in the third or fourth periods. By the fifth overtime, both sides succeeded, tying at 42, before faltering again in the sixth and seventh overtimes.
"It felt like it would never end," said Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker. "I’ve never seen or played in anything like this."
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck had a standout performance, throwing for 297 yards and five touchdowns on 28-of-43 passing. Georgia Tech’s Haynes King was equally impressive, amassing 303 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and 110 rushing yards with three scores. King made history as the first player ever to record 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns against an AP top-10 opponent.
"Haynes is a fighter," said Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key. "He carried us all night and inspired everyone on the field. I couldn’t be prouder of him and this team."
Despite their underdog status as 17½-point outsiders, Georgia Tech built a commanding 17-0 halftime lead and extended it to 27-13 late in the fourth quarter. But Georgia’s defense stepped up at critical moments, including a forced fumble by safety Dan Jackson with just over two minutes left. The turnover set up Beck’s game-tying touchdown pass to Dominic Lovett with 1:01 remaining in regulation.
The Bulldogs, with a 10-2 record and two national championships in the past three seasons, strengthened their case for a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff. A win in the upcoming SEC Championship Game against either No. 3 Texas or No. 20 Texas A&M could secure a top-four seed and a first-round bye.
"I’m proud of the fight, the grit, and the toughness of this team," Smart said. "We’ve got an opportunity ahead of us, and we need to keep improving."
For Georgia Tech, the loss was a bitter pill, but Key expressed pride in his team’s effort. "There are no moral victories, but this team left everything out there tonight," he said.
The game, clocking in at eight overtimes, fell just one period short of the NCAA record set by Illinois and Penn State in 2021. For those watching and playing, it was an unforgettable display of endurance and determination.
"Epic doesn’t even begin to describe it," Walker said. "This one will be remembered forever."
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