When you settle in to watch a college football game, you expect about three to four hours of gridiron action. But every so often, two evenly matched teams take things to another level, battling through multiple overtime periods in epic tests of endurance. Since the NCAA adopted an overtime rule in 1996, we’ve witnessed extra sessions stretch as long as seven or even nine overtimes.
The Longest Overtime Game in College Football History
The record for the most overtimes in an NCAA football game belongs to Illinois and Penn State. On October 23, 2021, the two Big Ten rivals battled to a 10-10 tie at the end of regulation. Little did the fans know, they were in for over four additional hours of bonus football.
The teams matched each other score for score through the first eight overtime periods. Finally, in the ninth overtime, Illinois quarterback Brandon Peters connected with receiver Casey Washington for the decisive touchdown and ensuing two-point conversion. The Fighting Illini prevailed 20-18 in the first ever nine-overtime game.
Notable Seven Overtime Thrillers
While nine overtimes is the current NCAA record, several other matchups have reached seven extra periods:
- Arkansas vs. Ole Miss (2001): Arkansas outlasted Ole Miss 58-56 in a seven overtime SEC battle.
- Arkansas vs. Kentucky (2003): The Razorbacks found themselves in another marathon, edging Kentucky 71-63.
- North Texas vs. FIU (2006): The Mean Green needed seven overtimes to defeat FIU 25-22.
- Western Michigan vs. Buffalo (2017): The Broncos survived a 71-68 thriller over Buffalo.
- LSU vs. Texas A&M (2018): The Aggies upset LSU 74-72 in a game that set the NCAA record for most points scored with 146 combined.
Recent Overtime Epics
The 2022 and 2024 seasons both featured notable overtime shootouts as well:
- Eastern Kentucky vs. Bowling Green (2022): FCS squad EKU stunned FBS Bowling Green 59-57 in seven overtimes.
- Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (2024): The Bulldogs rallied to beat the Yellow Jackets 44-42 in eight overtimes.
- Toledo vs. Pittsburgh (2024): The Rockets and Panthers set a new bowl game overtime record, with Toledo prevailing 61-59 in six overtimes.
While rare, these multiple overtime contests are the stuff of legend. The physical and mental stamina required to keep executing when a game extends well beyond 60 minutes is staggering. For the players that emerge victorious from one of these endurance tests, the sense of accomplishment must be unrivaled.
As for the fans, if your team comes out on top, the euphoria washes away the exhaustion of spectating an overtime marathon. But for the losing side, it’s hard to imagine a more soul-crushing way to experience defeat. No matter the outcome, once the final whistle mercifully blows, everyone involved will have a story they’ll be telling for years to come.
