The 44-42 battle against rival Georgia Tech went into eight overtime innings (second most in college football history), with the game ending 17-0 in favor of the Yellow College. Halftime jacket. This is a significant win for the program for the Bulldogs, who were previously 1-10 under Kirby Smart when trailing by 17 points or more. However, due to a ferocious turnaround in the fourth quarter, Georgia State entered the SEC Championship Game with two losses.
Dan Jackson forced quarterback Haynes King to fumble at the Georgia Tech 32-yard line, but the Bulldogs recovered with great field position with two minutes remaining. Two plays later, Georgia Tech defensive pass interference gave the Bulldogs the ball in the red zone. Four plays later Georgia tied the game at 27 points. In the eighth overtime, running back Nate Frazier finally broke through the line for the game-winning conversion, Georgia’s second successful conversion in seven attempts.
Entering Friday, FBS teams were 11-416 on the season and trailed by at least 14 points in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs scored just six points in the first three quarters, missing a two-point conversion for their only touchdown. However, Athens scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives in the fourth quarter, sending the game into overtime.
With this win, Georgia State almost certainly earns a ticket to the College Football Playoff, and the Bulldogs will head into the SEC Championship Game with a 10-2 record. Georgia State will play the winner of Texas vs. Texas A&M on Saturday at Kyle Field. Even with the loss, Georgia State, 10-3 and playing in the conference championship game, should be in good shape to reach the CFP.
If the Bulldogs had lost, they would have had a do-or-die matchup in Atlanta. Instead, Georgia will likely return to the College Football Playoff for the third time in four seasons.
Beck threw for 297 yards and five touchdowns in the win, completing multiple passes to 10 different pass catchers. Leading the way was former walk-on running back Cash Jones, who gained 53 yards. Georgia ran for 108 yards on 26 attempts. Although he lost the game, King had an incredible performance with 300 yards passing, 100 yards rushing, and 3 touchdowns.
Overview of overtime from 3OT to 8OT (at the start of alternating 2-point tries)
OT FrameTeamPlayOutcome3OTUGAC. Beck steps back to pass, incomplete on UGAFail schedule
GTH. King stepped back to pass, but it fell incomplete for GTFail4OTGTH. King steps back to pass, incomplete for GTFail
UGAC. Beck steps back and passes, but it’s incomplete for UGAFail5OTUGAC. Beck steps back to pass and is successfully caught by D. Bell.
GTH. King stepped back to pass and was caught by M. Rutherford Success6OTGTH. King steps back to pass, UGA misses 3 and is sacked.
UGAC. Beck steps back and passes. A. SmithFail7OTUGAC’s intent is incomplete. Beck rushes to the GT end zone and is tackled by O. Daniels on a GT 1 fumble.
GTH. UGA 1Fail8OTGTH After being tackled by C. Allen, King rushed to the UGA end zone. The king steps back to pass, but East’s intention is incomplete. SingletonFail
Woogan. Frazier successfully rushes 3 yards to the GT end zone.
