On a quiet Christmas Eve in the world of sports, where the NBA, NFL, NHL, and even college basketball took a break, the Hawaii Bowl stole the spotlight with a game for the ages. In a thrilling battle, South Florida faced San Jose State, two teams with modest seasons, in what turned out to be an unforgettable showdown.
South Florida, with a 6-6 record, and San Jose State, finishing their season at 7-5, might not have been marquee teams, but the Hawaii Bowl more than made up for it with sheer drama. After five intense overtime periods, South Florida emerged victorious with a nail-biting 41-39 win.
The game reached its climax when Bryce Archie connected with Keshaun Singleton for the game-winning touchdown in the fifth overtime. The play sent South Florida’s sideline into a frenzy and capped off a game that fans and analysts alike are calling one of the most exciting bowl games ever.
Fans React to a Historic Hawaii Bowl
Once the game ended, social media erupted with praise and awe for the spectacle. Fans and analysts were quick to declare it a classic.
“Greatest Hawaii Bowl of all time?” wondered CBS Sports’ Tom Fornelli.
Another fan dubbed the 2024 Hawaii Bowl “absolute cinema,” sharing a clip of the final, decisive play.
“The best Hawaii Bowl of all time,” declared another.
“You’ll forever remember where you were for the 2024 Hawaii Bowl,” a fan tweeted, emphasizing the lasting impression of the epic contest.
It wasn’t just a thrilling game—it was a record-breaking one. According to the Hawaii Bowl’s official account, the game was the longest bowl game in FBS history.
A Five-Overtime Marathon
The game’s intensity grew with each overtime period. Both teams scored touchdowns in the first overtime, traded field goals in the second, and executed two-point conversions in the third overtime. The defenses held strong in the fourth OT, setting the stage for South Florida’s game-winning touchdown in the fifth.
A Christmas Eve Classic
With no other major sports on the calendar, the Hawaii Bowl provided fans with a much-needed dose of excitement. What began as a matchup of two under-the-radar teams transformed into a thrilling, history-making event that fans won’t soon forget.
For South Florida, it was a season-ending victory to remember, while for football fans everywhere, the 2024 Hawaii Bowl stands as a reminder of how even the unlikeliest games can deliver unforgettable moments.
