ATHENS, Ga. – In a game that will go down as one of the most thrilling in SEC history, the No. 7 Georgia Bulldogs staged a stunning comeback, rallying from a 17-point deficit to defeat rival Georgia Tech 44-42 in an eight-overtime shootout at Sanford Stadium on Friday night. The victory marked the longest game in SEC history and sealed Georgia’s 31st consecutive home win.
Freshman running back Nate Frazier was the hero in the final overtime period, punching in a 3-yard run for a 2-point conversion that clinched the victory. The Yellow Jackets had the ball first in the eighth overtime but were thwarted when quarterback Haynes King’s pass sailed out of the back of the end zone after being pressured by Georgia linebacker CJ Allen. With the win in their grasp, the Bulldogs wasted no time, as Frazier powered through the line for the game-winning conversion, sending the red-and-black-clad home crowd into a frenzy.
“People were getting worn down, and we weren’t getting open,” said Georgia head coach Kirby Smart. “That kid’s got an electric ability to hit the hole hard. I guess we blocked it right because it hit up in there.”
Frazier’s run capped off one of the most memorable comebacks in Georgia football history. The victory also marked the Bulldogs’ seventh consecutive win over Georgia Tech, maintaining their dominance in the in-state rivalry known as “Clean Old-Fashioned Hate.”
The game marked a historic comeback, as Georgia overcame a 17-point deficit for the first time since 2006. It was only the second time in the last two decades the Bulldogs rallied from a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Despite struggling for most of the game, Georgia’s offense found its rhythm late, scoring 21 points in the final 8:18 of regulation.
In a thrilling finish, Georgia scored two touchdowns in the final 3:39 to tie the game at 27 and force overtime. Quarterback Carson Beck, who threw for five touchdowns and 297 yards on 28-of-43 passing, was instrumental in the comeback. Beck connected with Dominic Lovett for a 3-yard touchdown with 1:01 left, while kicker Peyton Woodring’s extra point sent the game into overtime after a 27-all tie.
“Sucks, losing stinks,” said Georgia Tech coach Brent Key. “Losing like this… I told them there are no moral victories. I’m proud as heck of them. I’m proud of the seniors and what they’ve done for this program.”
Georgia Tech, 17½-point underdogs entering the game, took control early. The Yellow Jackets’ offense, led by quarterback Haynes King, exploded for 17 points in the first half, taking a commanding 17-0 lead into the break. King, who was a standout throughout the game, added to his legacy with a memorable performance. He finished with 303 passing yards, two touchdowns, and 110 rushing yards, becoming the first player with at least 300 passing yards, 100 rushing yards, and three rushing touchdowns against a top-10 team, according to ESPN Research.
King’s efforts were nearly enough to push Georgia Tech to an upset victory, but his costly fumble in the final minutes of regulation turned the game in Georgia’s favor. On a critical third-and-1 play at the Georgia Tech 31-yard line, King fumbled the ball after being hit by Georgia safety Dan Jackson. Defensive end Chaz Chambliss recovered the fumble at the Tech 32-yard line, setting up a crucial series of plays for Georgia’s offense.
With just over two minutes remaining, Beck scrambled for a 10-yard first down on a third-and-9 and then found Lovett for the game-tying touchdown. The drive capped a wild final stretch in regulation, where the Bulldogs were down 14 points with just over five minutes left.
Once overtime began, the drama only intensified. Both teams traded touchdowns and extra points in the first overtime, tying the game at 34. The teams then failed to convert 2-point attempts in the second overtime, leaving the score deadlocked at 40. As the game wore on, the tension reached a fever pitch, with both teams exchanging 2-point conversions in the fifth overtime period. However, no one was able to score in the third and fourth overtimes, and both teams missed 2-point attempts in the sixth and seventh OTs, extending the game well into the early hours of the morning.
In the eighth overtime, after Georgia Tech’s failed 2-point conversion attempt, Frazier sealed the victory for Georgia with a decisive run, ending the marathon that had started hours earlier.
“He’s a warrior,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key said of his quarterback. “He’s one of the toughest kids I’ve ever been around in my life. He wills others around him.”
Despite the loss, Georgia Tech’s players were applauded for their efforts. With Georgia trailing late in the fourth quarter, many analysts gave the Yellow Jackets little chance of holding on for the win. However, the team’s resilience in the face of adversity was on full display throughout the game, and the loss was particularly painful due to the dramatic way in which it was handed to them.
“He’s a warrior,” Key added about King, “I’m proud of him. I’m proud of all of them.”
For the Bulldogs, the win likely guarantees a spot in the 12-team College Football Playoff field with a 10-2 record. However, they still have one more game to play in the SEC Championship, where they’ll face the winner of the game between No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M. A victory there would bolster their playoff hopes and potentially earn them a first-round bye with a top-four seed.
“We’ve got to go out and play well,” Smart said. “Our opportunity is in front of us. We’ve got to play a good team, and we’ve got to play better than we did tonight.”
Georgia’s victory in one of the longest games in recent memory will surely be remembered for years to come. As the Bulldogs head into the postseason, the wild victory serves as a testament to the team’s grit and determination.