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College Football Bowl Game Makes History on Christmas Eve

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Dec 25, 2024 6:31 AM ET

With no NBA, NHL, NFL, or college basketball games, all eyes were on the Hawaii Bowl between San Jose State and South Florida on Christmas Eve.

It was a quiet day in the sports world with the other leagues off and the NFL and NBA filling up the Christmas Day slate.

However, the Hawaii Bowl did not disappoint one bit. Although there weren't many fans in the stands, the clash between San Jose State and South Florida went into five overtime periods before South Florida ended up getting the 41-39 victory.

In the process, the 2024 Hawaii Bowl made history.

"This is the first FBS bowl/postseason game to go longer than 3 OT. Don't be mad at Santa if he's late getting to your house," NCAA Director of Statistics David Worlock wrote on X.

This is the first FBS bowl/postseason game to go longer than 3 OT. Don't be mad at Santa if he's late getting to your house.
— David Worlock (@DavidWorlock) December 25, 2024

Ironically, the first triple-overtime game came in the 2003 Hawaii Bowl as the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors defeated the Houston Cougars, 54-48, per the NCAA Stats account.

The @HawaiiBowl continues to make history with tonight’s game being the longest FBS bowl/postseason game ever going 5 OT.

Previously 4 games had gone 3 OT, including the first 3 OT postseason game ever in the 2003 @HawaiiBowl (Hawaii 54, Houston 48).
— NCAA Stats (@NCAAStats) December 25, 2024

With the first-ever 12-team College Football Playoff taking place last weekend, and some other disappointing bowl games, the Hawaii Bowl lived up to the hype.

It was certainly a surprise to see two underwhelming teams put together a bowl game for the ages, and the five-overtime classic will go down in the record books.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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