Clean Old-Fashioned Chaos: Georgia Outlasts Georgia Tech in Epic 8-OT Thriller

In a game for the ages, Georgia’s freshman Nate Frazier plunged into the end zone for a two-point conversion in the eighth overtime, sealing the No. 7 Bulldogs’ gritty 44-42 victory over rival Georgia Tech. It was a marathon showdown at Sanford Stadium on Friday night, breaking SEC records and likely some blood pressure monitors along the way.

The Yellow Jackets struck first in the final OT, but a misfire by Tech quarterback Haynes King under pressure gave Georgia their chance to shine. On the ensuing play, Frazier bulldozed through the middle, igniting a sea of red and black as fans erupted in celebration.

“People were getting worn down. People were getting tired,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart admitted. “But that kid? He’s got an electric ability to hit the hole hard. And I guess we blocked it right because it hit up in there.”

The victory extended Georgia’s home winning streak to an eye-popping 31 games and marked their seventh consecutive triumph over Georgia Tech in the legendary “Clean Old-Fashioned Hate” rivalry. However, this one required every ounce of grit the Bulldogs could muster.

A Comeback for the Books

The Bulldogs faced a seemingly insurmountable 17-0 deficit at halftime, a position they hadn’t been in since 2019. But Georgia flipped the script with a furious fourth-quarter rally, scoring 21 points in the final 8:18 of regulation. Georgia quarterback Carson Beck fired a clutch 3-yard touchdown pass to Dominic Lovett with 1:01 left on the clock to tie the game at 27, forcing overtime and turning the game into an instant classic.

“Man, it sucks losing like that,” Georgia Tech head coach Brent Key said. “But I’m proud of these guys. No moral victories, but proud nonetheless.”

Eight Overtimes of Pure Madness

The overtime drama saw both teams trading touchdowns and failed conversions as exhaustion set in. By the fifth overtime, fans wondered if they’d ever make it home—or if they were witnessing football’s equivalent of a hostage situation. The Bulldogs went 2-for-6 on two-point tries, while Georgia Tech fared even worse, managing just one successful conversion in six attempts.

“If this game had gone on like they used to, we might still be out there,” Smart quipped.

Georgia’s Beck delivered a stellar performance, throwing for 297 yards and five touchdowns, while Tech’s King dazzled with a dual-threat showcase: 303 passing yards, 110 rushing yards, and three touchdowns. King became the first player to hit those numbers against an AP top-10 team, a feat that will soften the sting for Tech fans. Slightly.

What’s Next for Georgia?

The Bulldogs, now sitting at 10-2, likely punched their ticket to the 12-team College Football Playoff, though a win in the SEC Championship Game against the Texas-Texas A&M victor would erase any doubt. A third national title in four years remains well within reach.

“I’m just proud of our guys,” Smart said. “We’ve got to stay focused and not ride the emotional wave. But tonight? Yeah, they earned it.”

As for Georgia Tech, the valiant effort showed a team capable of punching above its weight. Though the Jackets were 17.5-point underdogs, they proved they belong on the big stage—and they made sure their rivals will remember this battle for a long time.

A Record-Setting Marathon

The game clock ticked past midnight as the Bulldogs secured victory, making it the second-longest FBS game in history. Only Illinois’ nine-overtime thriller against Penn State in 2021 lasted longer. For Georgia linebacker Jalon Walker, the experience was as exhausting as it was unforgettable. “I ain’t never seen [anything] like that,” he said. “I ain’t watching no football game that long.”

But for fans, players, and anyone lucky enough to witness this epic chapter of “Clean Old-Fashioned Hate,” it was a night that will be talked about for years—a reminder of why we love college football, chaos and all.