College Football Overtime: A History of Thrills, Rule Changes, and Record-Breaking Games

One of the most significant changes in college football occurred in 1995 when the NCAA adopted an overtime rule for all bowl games. The following year, all Division 1-A (now FBS) games were able to go to overtime. This switch to an overtime system (with a few revisions along the way) has changed the complexion of the sport. Prior to 1995, teams could opt for a tie to avoid a loss.

The Introduction and Evolution of Overtime in College Football

Before the implementation of overtime rules, teams faced strategic decisions at the end of regulation that could lead to controversial outcomes. For example, in a game where 11-0 Syracuse played 9-1-1 Auburn, with the Orange ahead 16-13 in the final seconds, the Tigers elected to kick a field goal from the Syracuse 13-yard line as time expired instead of going for a touchdown to win the game. The call angered Syracuse players and fans, as a 12-0 season would’ve given them a chance at a share of a national championship with Miami. Even many of Auburn’s players were upset with the decision to play it safe. If that scenario played out today, Syracuse and Auburn would head to overtime to decide a winner.

The overtime system has undergone several revisions to enhance player safety and reduce game length. Let’s see how overtime was introduced into college football and how it developed into the system in use today. We’ll also review games with the most overtimes in history and teams with the best overtime records.

Initial Overtime Rules

For lower divisions of college football, playoff games in Division I-AA (now FCS), II, and III used an overtime system starting in 1975. The system was based on the Kansas Overtime system that was created for Kansas State high school football games. That system gives each team the ball at the 10-yard line, and the team with the most points after each possession was the winner. If it was tied, another set of possessions were held until there was a winner. The first NCAA football overtime rules took the Kansas system but put the ball at the 25-yard line in order to make it a bit more difficult for a team to score a touchdown. The typical four-down rules are used. In case of a turnover, the team that recovers the ball begins their possession at the opponent’s 25-yard line regardless of where they ended up following the turnover.

In FBS, the first overtime game was the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl. In that game between Toledo and Nevada, the score was tied at 34 after regulation. The Wolfpack were stopped short of the goal line in their first possession and had to settle for a field goal. The Rockets got the ball and needed just four plays to score a touchdown, ending the game on Wasean Tait’s fourth rushing TD of the game to win it 40-37.

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Current Overtime Procedure

If a college football game is tied after the fourth quarter, representatives of each team return to midfield for another coin toss by the referee. The winner of the toss chooses whether to start on offense or defense, or they can choose to defend a certain end of the field and allow the other team to pick whether to start on offense or defense. This is typically only done when wind is enough of a factor that it could affect the kicking game. The timeouts reset to one for each team per overtime period, and the game clock is turned off. Only the play clock is used.

For the first overtime, each team gets one possession that begins at the opponent’s 25-yard line. The typical four-down rules are used. In case of a turnover, the team that recovers the ball begins their possession at the opponent’s 25-yard line regardless of where they ended up following the turnover.

Starting with the third overtime, teams bypass the traditional possession. Instead, each get one attempt at a two-point conversion play from the 3-yard line.

Rule Modifications Over the Years

The overtime rules have been modified several times to address concerns about game length and player safety.

1997: In an effort to keep games from going too long, teams were forced to attempt a two-point conversion following a touchdown starting in the third overtime.
2019: The length of overtime games were becoming a concern. A 2018 seven-OT game between Texas A&M and LSU had over 200 plays run, and another 7-OT game the year before with Western Michigan vs. Buffalo took nearly five hours to play.
2021: The overtime process was shortened even more under the current rules. Now, a team must go for a two-point conversion after a touchdown in the second overtime period. With the new rules that teams skip the possessions and just go for alternating two-point conversions starting in the third overtime, we saw the record of a nine-overtime game set in 2021.

Memorable Overtime Games in College Football History

College football overtime has produced some truly unforgettable games. Here are a few notable examples:

Illinois vs. Penn State (2021) - 9 Overtimes

Not only did Illinois and Penn State set the record for most overtimes in a college football game, the Illini also upset the then-No. Penn State, a 24.5-point favorite, finished regulation tied at 10 with Illinois. Each team traded field goals in the first two OTs, making it 16-16. Surprisingly, each team failed to score in the next five possessions when they had to attempt a two-point conversion. Illinois broke through in the eighth OT with a Brandon Peters pass to Isaiah Williams, but then the Nittany Lions responded with a scoring run by Noah Cain. After Penn State failed to convert to start OT No.

Georgia vs. Georgia Tech (2024) - 8 Overtimes

Georgia defeated Georgia Tech 44-42 after 8 overtimes, the highest number since the NCAA changed its overtime rules in 2021. In his first full game since recovering from a shoulder injury, Haynes delivered 413 yards of offense, throwing for 303 yards and notching 110 rushing yards, yielding 5 touchdowns. Jamal Haynes rushed for 91 yards with 13 carries, while Eric Singleton, Jr.

The Bulldogs stormed back from a 17-0 halftime deficit and a 27-13 deficit with five minutes in regulation to send the game to overtime (albeit with some controversy). There, the Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets traded scores in the first, second and fifth overtimes - and defensive stands in the third, fourth, sixth and seventh OT periods - before Georgia emerged triumphant, 44-42, in the eighth overtime.

Speaking after the game, Georgia coach Kirby Smart said he had never partcipated in a game like this, adding that both his and Brent Key's teams had run out of two-point plays by the time the score was finally settled.

Eastern Kentucky vs. Bowling Green (2022) - 7 Overtimes

A seven-overtime game to start the 2022 season was a high-scoring contest more typical of multiple OT games. With defense not exactly at a premium, each team scored touchdowns in the first two OT periods, but both teams failed on the two-point conversion attempt at the end of the second overtime. The teams each converted in the third, fourth, and sixth OT and failed in the third. In the seventh overtime, Falcons QB Matt McDonald threw an incomplete pass. The Colonels had a chance to win it and did so when Parker McKinney found Braedon Sloan for the upset 59-57 win.

Texas A&M vs. LSU (2018) - 7 Overtimes

As mentioned above, this game was the catalyst for the NCAA tightening up the overtime rules. Ironically, the game never would’ve gone to overtime if not for a reversed call on an interception late in the fourth quarter. Ed Orgeron, head coach of the No. 7 Tigers, even received a Gatorade bath before the call was overturned. The Aggies, a three-point favorite, entered OT tied at 31. The teams then combined for a combined 84 points in the seven overtimes. LSU had current NFL players Joe Burrow, Clyde Edwards-Helaire, and Justin Jefferson making big plays in this one a year before they won a national championship.

Arkansas vs. Ole Miss (2001) - 7 Overtimes

Tied 17-17 at the end of regulation, the teams each scored touchdowns in six of the seven overtimes to end with a final score of 58-56 in favor of Arkansas. Despite passing for 312 yards and six touchdowns, Manning couldn’t lead his team to victory. After the Hogs scored a touchdown and got the two-point conversion in the seventh OT, the Rebels got a TD to match.

Overtime Records and Streaks

Several teams have demonstrated a knack for winning in overtime. Here are some notable records:

Most Overtime Wins (FBS): TCU (Texas Christian University) holds the NCAA FBS record for most overtime wins with nine. The Horned Frogs broke a tie with Michigan on October 1, 2022 (Week 5) in a 43-40 win over Oklahoma State. It was an exciting game between two unbeaten teams, as TCU improved to 6-0 with the win over the then-No. 8 Cowboys, who dropped to 5-1.
Michigan Wolverines: The Michigan Wolverines have eight overtime victories, including back-to-back wins over rival Michigan State in 2004 and ‘05. In Michigan’s first overtime game, which was the 2000 Orange Bowl against Alabama, the Wolverines scored on Tom Brady’s final collegiate pass-a 25-yard strike to Shawn Thompson to take the lead.
Teams Tied for Third Place: Three teams have seven overtime wins and are tied for third place. Tennessee’s most-recent victory proved to be an important one, as it paved the way for a big 2022 season. Playing on the road at No. Syracuse’s most memorable win took place on November 9, 2022 (Week 12) when the Orange pulled out a 50-42 win over then-No. 7 Virginia Tech in triple overtime. Quarterback Troy Nunes threw for over 400 yards in the win, and wide receiver David Tyree had 229 receiving yards, and both performances rank in the top-five on Syracuse’s all-time list.

The Impact of Overtime on Betting

The college football overtime system does not benefit those betting on the under part of a totals bet. An example of a bad beat on the under is from a game with TCU vs. Baylor on November 9, 2019 (Week 11). This game between TCU and Baylor was tied 9-9 at the end of regulation, so those wagering under on the total of 49 were looking good.

The rule changes of 2019 and ‘21, however, do give those betting on the under have more of a chance to survive overtime with a winning bet.

The Value of Overtime in College Football

There’s no doubt that forcing every game to have a winner is the correct one. In the past, bowl games would end in a tie and there would be more of a flat, deflated feeling from both sides than anything. The college football overtime system provides plenty of excitement for fans and bettors alike-except for potential added stress of under bettors! Games getting into overtime periods of six, seven, and beyond are historic and memorable.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

What is the record for most college football overtimes? The record for most college football overtimes is 9 set on October 23, 2021, when Illinois defeated Penn State 20-18.
When was the first college football overtime game? The first-ever NCAA overtime game was in the Division III playoffs in 1976, when Buena Vista beat Carroll of Wisconsin 20-14.
When was the first college football FBS overtime game? The first FBS overtime game was the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl. In that game between Toledo and Nevada, the score was tied at 34 after regulation. Toledo’s Wasean Tait scored his fourth rushing TD of the game to win it 40-37.
What is the most college football overtimes LSU has played? LSU played 7 overtimes when it lost to Texas A&M 74-72 on November 24, 2018.
What is the most college football overtimes Alabama has played? Alabama played 5 overtimes when it lost to Tennessee at home 51-43 on October 25, 2003.
What is the most college football overtimes Texas has played? Texas played 4 overtimes when it lost to Oklahoma on the road 53-45 on October 10, 2022.
When was Michigan’s first overtime college football game? In Michigan’s first overtime game, which was the 2000 Orange Bowl against Alabama, the Wolverines scored on Tom Brady’s final collegiate pass-a 25-yard strike to Shawn Thompson to take the lead. The Crimson Tide responded with a touchdown of their own, but they missed the extra point to send Michigan home a 35-34 winner.

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