Georgia Survives Eight Overtime Thriller Versus in State Rival Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech came to play tonight with one thing on their mind, upset in their state rival Georgia. They certainly showed that with a 44-yard run by freshman Jamal Haynes to start the game. Although they ended up settling for a FG, you could tell they meant business. Both teams were also very aggressive from the start. Georgia Tech had a fourth down and one from the Georgia 25-yard line and decided to go for it with a Haynes King run and were stopped short. On the ensuing possession, Georgia drove down the field with some nice downfield shots by Carson Beck, including a fourth and three pass to wide receiver Dillion Bell to keep the drive going. However, it came down to a fourth and one after a nine-yard pass play on second down and a run for no gain on third. Georgia once again handed the ball off but was stuffed for no gain at Georgia Tech’s 14-yard line and a turnover on downs.

Georgia Tech tried to make them pay for this by scoring as they once again matched down the field. It started with a 22 run from Jamal Haynes, and then a 25-yard pass play from Haynes King to tight end Ryland Goede. After these chunk plays pushed the ball down the field they were able to get more yards courtesy of Haynes King’s arm and legs. Finally, they had to settle for a 25-yard field goal attempt to start their second-quarter drive. However, it hit the upright and was no good so the score remained 3-0 Georgia Tech.

Now it was Georgia’s turn to get something going on offense. However, they just simply couldn't find their footing in the first half. They ran three plays for negative eight yards, the biggest of which was an 11-yard sack that forced a punt. Georgia Tech continued to put the pressure on Georgia and with the help of a holding penalty on Georgia and a few nice throws by Haynes King, they had another chance to either add a field goal or touchdown to their lead. This time they didn’t leave anything to chance and Haynes King powered through for two yards and the score, 10-0 Georgia Tech. 

Well, it didn't get much better for Georgia from here. They got the ball back at their 25-yard line and on third and nine, Carson Beck made a nice throw to tight end Ben Yurosek for 19 yards and the first down in Georgia Tech territory for the first time in the game. Yet, on the next play as Carson Beck’s pass is complete to Dominic Lovett, the ball is punched out by Syeed Gibbs. Georgia Tech took the opportunity to add to their lead. Haynes King, as he had done all night, used his arm to lead the Yellow Jackets down the field. The drive culminated in a four-yard TD pass from Haynes King to Jamal Haynes to make it 17-0. 

Georgia still has one last chance to not be totally embarrassed going into the half. They got the ball back with about 30 seconds left before the half with the chance to double up since they were receiving the second-half kickoff. Instead, they drove the field and with two seconds left set up to kick a 52-yard field goal to make the game 17-3. The kick was no good and the half was over. What a disaster of a half for the Georgia Bulldogs. 

Georgia Tech had to feel on top of the world going into halftime up 17-0 on the road against their rivals. Georgia received the ball to start the second half but continued to have stalled drives. They went three and out and were forced to punt the ball away. Georgia’s defense needed to step up if they wanted to get back in this game. They certainly stepped up in a big way in this second half. They forced a very quick three-and-out from a Georgia Tech team that was rolling early. 

The kick was muffed but luckily Georgia recovered the ball on what could have been a back-breaking turnover. Now here come the Dawgs with good field position right around midfield. A 30-yard run by senior Arian Smith put them just outside the red zone at the 21 of Georgia Tech. Georgia had them right where they wanted them and punched the ball into the end zone after a series of short passes and finally, one that resulted in a two-yard score to tight end Oscar Delp.

Georgia ended up going for the two-point conversion and didn't get it on a run play. Georgia Tech now had their hands full with the crowd getting riled up. Georgia Tech calmed them down with a methodical 18-play drive that started from their own four-yard line. The drive took ten and a half minutes off the clock to end the third quarter and start the fourth. They ended the long drive with a field goal to make it 20-6. Georgia knew they were up against it down two touchdowns but Kirby Smart’s team didn't give up. On their next possession, Georgia drove down the field and had a chance to trim the lead. Carson Beck and Nate Frazier led the charge on this drive with Beck even passing to Frazier on a few occasions to change things up. Then it all came down to a fourth and goal from the Georgia Tech four-yard line. Carson Beck dropped back to pass and the pass was incomplete intended for Oscar Delp. However, there was a flag for pass interference and the ball was placed at the two-yard line, giving Georgia a fresh set of downs. They ended up punching it in on second and goal to get the game to 20-13. 

Georgia Tech knew that they had to make something happen and stretch their lead. That's exactly what they did. They got the ball back at their 25-yard line and after a horse collar put it near midfield, Haynes King threw a 33-yard pass to wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. to set them up in prime position to put the game away. A few plays later, Haynes King once again showed you he is dangerous on the ground, with an 11-yard touchdown run. This made it 27-13 and the game felt all but over. 

Georgia had other plans though and they would soon show everyone that this game was far from over. They proceeded to drive 75 yards down the field, courtesy of the great arm of Carson Beck, and scored a touchdown that they desperately needed. All of a sudden it was a seven-point game again with 3:39 left to go. Georgia Tech still felt relatively comfortable based on how they had played to this point. All they had to do was run out the last 3:39 and the upset would be complete. However, college football isn't always that simple. Georgia Tech tried to just run the clock down but then disaster struck, Haynes King fumbled the ball on their own 32-yard line and Georgia recovered. 

At this point, all momentum was on Georgia's side and they could feel it. They were down seven and had the ball at Georgia Tech's 32-yard line. Well, long story short, Georgia did what Georgia does and tied the game up. A pass from Carson Beck to Dominic Lovett knotted up the score at 27. 

Now Georgia Tech just wanted to get to OT because Georgia was clearly feeling it. Georgia Tech turned it over on downs after trying to run out the last minute of the clock and UGA had a shot for a hail mary from midfield. It ultimately wasn't able to be completed and the game did go to OT and what an OT it was. This game wasn't one you would be thinking would be going to OT with the lead Georgia Tech had. 

Georgia Tech won the coin toss and decided to defend. For the first overtime, both teams start at their opponents 25 yard line and try to score a TD. Well, that is exactly what Georgia did, on four plays culminating in a 14-yard pass from Carson Beck to wide receiver London Humphreys. It was now 34-27 Georgia. Georgia Tech needed to score a TD on this possession to keep the game going. So they did exactly that and on 4 plays, similar to Georgia, Haynes King threw a 12-yard pass to WR Eric Singleton Jr. for a TD, and that tied the score at 34. 

Now onto the second overtime, the same rules applied except after scoring the touchdown, both teams must go for the two-point conversion. Georgia Tech started off with the ball this time and they did their part by scoring a TD. The TD was scored on the third play of the drive on a run by Haynes King after a 20-yard run by wide receiver Malik Rutherford. They had to go for the two points and they didn't convert. Georgia responded like they had all second half with a TD of their own. This time it was a quick strike to running back Cash Jones. Now all Georgia needed was to convert this two-point conversion and send the fans home happy. However, it was incomplete as Carson Beck tried to find someone open in the end zone but it sailed high. 

Well, now we are heading to a third overtime where each team just has to complete a two-point conversion. Georgia would start with the ball this time and Carson Beck would once again not find anyone open and throw it incomplete in the end zone. Now Haynes King of Georgia Tech had a chance to end it, just like Carson Beck, he was unable to find anyone open in the end zone and threw it incomplete. The same thing happened in the fourth overtime and then finally Georgia converted one in the fifth OT. Now Haynes King had the pressure on him and he delivered a nice ball to Malik Rutherford for the two-point conversion. We were all knotted up at 42 after the fifth overtime. 

The sixth overtime saw Georgia pick up a huge sack and a chance to win with a conversion. Once again though it was the defense of Georgia Tech that just blanketed the receivers and no one was open so the pass fell incomplete. As the seventh overtime approached it truly felt like the game would never end. Georgia had the ball and Carson Beck tried to do it himself but was stopped short. Georgia Tech got the ball back and then Haynes King tried to follow in Carson Beck’s footsteps and was stopped as well. 

Finally, in the eighth overtime, we had a winner. Georgia Tech started with the ball and Haynes King dropped back to pass but it was incomplete for Eric Singleton Jr. Then Georgia had the chance to win it and they did just that. They decided to just hand the ball off and it worked perfectly. Nate Frazier ran into the endzone untouched to complete the amazing comeback.

Down 17-0 at halftime and trailing 27-13 with just 5:37 left in the fourth quarter, Georgia refused to give up. They stormed back to win in an epic game. Georgia Tech played an incredible game, utilizing quarterback Haynes King’s mobility to keep Georgia's defense honest and move the ball effectively. King was sensational, rushing 24 times for 110 yards and three touchdowns while also throwing for 303 yards and two more scores. His counterpart, Carson Beck also played an astounding game, throwing for nearly 300 yards at 297 and he threw five touchdowns and zero interceptions. Wide receiver Dominic Lovett for Georgia added two touchdowns and 47 yards receiving. On the ground, Nate Frazier led the Bulldogs with 11 rushes for 50 yards. With them being down by so much, the game called for more passes so you can see why the rushing stats aren't eye-popping. 

Wide receiver Eric Singleton Jr. for Georgia Tech also had a really nice game with eight receptions for 86 yards and one touchdown. This unforgettable game solidified Georgia’s place in the College Football Playoff. They’ll face either Texas or Texas A&M in the SEC Championship Game, but had they lost tonight, it would have been a must-win scenario. It definitely was a game that you couldn't take your eyes off for a second. It will be interesting to see who Georgia plays in the SEC Championship Game as well. All credit to Georgia Tech for an incredible performance. Entering as 19.5-point underdogs, they nearly pulled off one of the greatest upsets in college football history. Fans were treated to an instant classic—a game that will be remembered for years to come.