LEXINGTON, Ky. — Quarterback Kenny Minchey scampered into the end zone on a game-winning 2-point conversion in overtime, lifting Kentucky to an upset 35-34 victory over No. 10 LSU on Saturday night at Kroger Field.
The victory gave the Wildcats consecutive overtime triumphs by an identical 35-34 margin, following a road win at South Carolina seven days earlier. According to Yahoo Sports, Kentucky became the first team in Football Bowl Subdivision history to capture back-to-back games by a single point in extra periods since overtime was introduced in 1996.
A dramatic overtime gamble
LSU took the opening possession of overtime and quickly jumped ahead when quarterback Sam Leavitt scrambled for a 15-yard touchdown. Kentucky responded swiftly on its turn, powered by a 22-yard reception from freshman Kenneth Darby that moved the ball to the 1-yard line. Running back C.J. Baxter then powered into the end zone to pull Kentucky within a point.
Rather than kicking an extra point to force a second overtime, Kentucky head coach Will Stein opted to play for the win. LSU head coach Lane Kiffin used a timeout as Kentucky first set up for the attempt, and Stein countered by burning a timeout of his own on the subsequent alignment just before an apparent false start penalty, Yahoo Sports reported.
When play resumed, Minchey dropped back to pass, found the middle of the defense vacated, and easily ran across the goal line untouched for the deciding two points.
“There’s really not a lot of words right now. I’m pretty shocked — in shock. Shouldn’t say shocked. I’m in shock. We got a really good football team,” Stein said, according to Sports Illustrated.
Regulation roller coaster
Kentucky set the tone on its very first snap of the contest when Baxter broke free for a 77-yard gain straight up the middle, setting up his own short score. LSU answered through dynamic play designs, including a first-quarter flea-flicker from Leavitt to tight end Zach Grace for a 22-yard touchdown, according to SB Nation. The Wildcats seized momentum back in the second quarter when Brock Coffman returned a punt for a touchdown, helping give Kentucky a 21-17 halftime lead.
LSU recaptured the lead at 27-24 in the fourth quarter when wide receiver Jackson Harris threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Roman Mothershed. However, turnovers by Leavitt kept Kentucky in contention. The LSU passer was intercepted in the third quarter and later lost a fumble at the LSU 13-yard line after being sacked.
Wildcats kicker Adam Zouagui endured late struggles, missing field goals from 42 and 26 yards within the final five minutes of regulation. Zouagui redeemed himself with 12 seconds remaining, converting a 33-yard attempt to level the score at 27-27 and force the extra session.
Key statistics and what comes next
Minchey completed 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards, recording 206 of those yards in the second half. Baxter spearheaded the Kentucky ground attack with 123 rushing yards and two scores on 19 carries. For LSU, Leavitt completed 25 of 34 throws for 275 yards and two passing touchdowns, but his two second-half turnovers proved costly, giving him eight interceptions across six games this season, Yahoo Sports noted.
The Tigers entered Saturday boasting the nation’s third-ranked total defense, surrendering just 220.6 yards per outing, but the Wildcats piled up 401 yards against them, according to ABC News.
With the win, Stein became the first head coach at Kentucky since 1913 to begin his first season with a 5-1 record, Sports Illustrated reported. The Wildcats (5-1, 3-1 Southeastern Conference) are scheduled to visit Oklahoma next Saturday, while LSU (4-2, 1-2 SEC) will attempt to rebound when it hosts No. 17 Mississippi State.
