In a thrilling marathon that dragged into the midnight hour, the Georgia Bulldogs clawed back from a 17-0 halftime deficit to triumph over Georgia Tech 44-42 in the SEC's longest game—lasting eight dizzying overtimes.

This record-breaking showdown not only showcased the resilience of the Bulldogs, who overcame a 27-13 deficit with just five minutes left in regulation, but also made viewers question their life choices as they stayed up to witness four and a half hours of football—a mere one overtime away from triggering an FBS record. With both teams exhibiting some impressive trick plays and a LeBron-style slam dunk for that winning 2-point conversion, this game will be remembered as a late-night legend in Georgia football lore.

The game began with Georgia firmly strapped into the backseat, trailing 17-0 at halftime. Regrettably, a 17-point deficit might lead some to consider a nap instead of staying up for yet another quarter. However, the second half saw Georgia rallying back, demonstrating a level of determination that was impressive even by their standards. Carson Beck, Georgia's quarterback, transformed from a mere thrower of passes to a veritable touchdown machine, ultimately tossing five passes into the awaiting arms of his teammates. Two of those came in the thrilling overtime periods, where the tension grew thicker than the fog on a Georgia morning.

Georgia Tech, not to be outdone, brought their own quarterback, Haynes King, into the fray. King was a rushing whirlwind, scoring three touchdowns on the ground and adding two more through the air. While his team seemed to be staging a coup at halftime, it quickly became apparent that the second half would change the whole narrative. The Cobb County-based squad donned their fighting shoes, but even they did not foresee being part of an odyssey that would require fans to surrender their sleep schedules for the greater good of college football.

As the contest chugged through overtime after overtime, viewers were left in a state of bewilderment as Georgia and Georgia Tech traded touchdowns and defensive stands like they were handing out free samples at a grocery store. Each overtime felt like a plot twist in a suspense novel—never knowing if the next play would be a critical defensive stand or yet another touchdown dance making its way onto TikTok. It all culminated in a nail-biting eighth overtime where both teams converted two-point tries, arguably solidifying the notion that the absolute limit of human endurance may very well be prolonged football nights.

By the time the eighth overtime rolled around, viewers and players alike were nearing the end of their ropes—or perhaps just the end of their energy. Nate Frazier of the Bulldogs emerged as the hero of the hour, scoring the game-winning 2-point conversion that sent Georgia fans into euphoric fits while leaving Tech supporters pondering if they should start planning for next season. After all, nothing says college rivalry like a final play that feels like it took an eternity to arrive.

With a total of eight overtime periods, this Georgia-Georgia Tech showdown now stands as the second-longest game in college football history, trailing behind only a nine-overtime spectacle that nobody will ever let the world forget. As for the players, few will remember how little sleep they got on account of all those post-game celebrations and perhaps a few bittersweet midnight snacks. While the late-night show concluded around midnight, the realization hit that they had witnessed a match where not just stamina but also strategic resilience was on full display.

In other news, coffee sales in Georgia surged after the game as fans sought solace in caffeine while contemplating the events of the night; it’s reasonable to suggest that sleep might be a forgotten luxury for them until the next game week. As the dust settles and the teams ponder their paths forward, one thing is for certain: next week’s match might just need a preliminary coffee IV drip before kickoff. After all, nothing summons the spirit of SEC football quite like expressly delaying bedtime for an outraged fan base.