Georgia and Georgia Tech's Friday night football game at 7:30 p.m. ET was a spectacle that lasted through the night. After 60 minutes of regulation and an astonishing eight overtimes, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets finally determined the winner at around midnight on the East Coast. This game was a true test of endurance and skill.

Georgia's Comeback and the Controversy

The Bulldogs stormed back from a 17-0 halftime deficit and a 27-13 deficit with just five minutes remaining in regulation. This led to the game being sent to overtime, with some controversy along the way. Their determination and ability to fight back were on full display.In overtime, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets traded scores in the first, second, and fifth overtimes. They also had defensive stands in the third, fourth, sixth, and seventh overtime periods. It was a back-and-forth battle until Georgia emerged victorious, 44-42, in the eighth overtime.

Georgia Coach Kirby Smart's Perspective

Speaking after the game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart expressed that he had never been part of a game like this before. He added that both his team and Brent Key's team had run out of two-point plays by the time the score was finally settled. This game truly tested the mettle of both coaches and their teams.

The Longest Games in College Football History

The Georgia-Georgia Tech game was long, going to eight overtimes, but it's not the longest in college football history. That honor goes to Illinois and Penn State's nine-overtime thriller on Oct. 23, 2021. In this game, the Fighting Illini came away with a 20-18 victory. Surprisingly, Illinois and Penn State only accumulated 395 and 227 yards, respectively, in a game where the only second-half score was a James McCourt 39-yard field goal with 11:49 left to play.Here is a list of the longest games in college football history in terms of overtime periods, courtesy of the NCAA:1. Oct. 23, 2021: Illinois 20, Penn State 18 (9 OTs)2. Nov. 29, 2024: Georgia 44, Georgia Tech 42 (8 OTs)T-3. Sept. 10, 2022: Eastern Kentucky 59, Bowling Green 57 (7 OTs)T-3. Nov. 24, 2018: Texas A&M 74, LSU 72 (7 OTs)T-3. Oct. 7, 2017: Western Michigan 71, Buffalo 68 (7 OTs)T-3. Oct. 7, 2006: North Texas 25, FIU, 22 (7 OTs)T-3. Nov. 1, 2003: Arkansas 71, Kentucky 63 (7 OTs)T-3. Nov. 3, 2001: Arkansas 58, Ole Miss 56 (7 OTs)

College Football Overtime Rules

Curiously, college football rules have changed to make overtime periods quicker while also increasing the likelihood of multiple overtimes. Beginning in 2019, the NCAA started implementing overtime periods where teams simply traded 2-point conversion attempts starting from the fifth overtime. This was a response to the 2018 game between LSU and Texas A&M that went to seven overtimes and saw the Aggies win 74-72 over the Tigers.The rule was further amended in 2021, with teams trading 2-point attempts starting from the third overtime. However, there are some nuances to the rules:In the first overtime period, both teams get a chance to score a touchdown starting from the 25-yard line. They can then kick a point-after attempt or a 2-point conversion following their touchdown.If the game goes to a second overtime, teams must go for 2 following a touchdown.Beginning in the third overtime period, both teams will trade 2-point attempts until one team scores and the other is held out of the end zone.This shows how the rules have evolved to accommodate the excitement and unpredictability of overtime in college football.