THE STORY
LSU head coach Lane Kiffin trusted his defense. It failed him twice.
Kentucky drove 67 yards for a game-tying field goal with no time outs in 1 minute, 25 seconds. After an LSU touchdown and extra point in overtime, the Wildcats answered with a score and converted a two-point conversion to win, 35-34.
With a yard standing between LSU (4-2, 1-2 in SEC) and a victory on fourth-and-one and 1:46 to play in regulation, Kiffin punted from the LSU 43-yard line and pinned Kentucky inside its own 20 with no time outs and a three-point Tiger lead
The Wildcats (5-1, 3-1) responded with a quick strike drive that set up a tying 32-yard kick from Adam Zouagai who shook off two previous missed in the fourth quarter misses that extended the game to overtime.
LSU may have sold its soul for the Bluegrass Miracle. It’s been since that day in 2002 since the Tigers won at Kentucky.
Big plays and breaks went largely Kentucky’s way for three-and-a-half quarters.
LSU’s offense moved the ball throughout the game. That generally controls the outcome; however, Kentucky got the swing plays to keep pace.
CJ Baxter’s 76-yard run on the Wildcats’ first snap of the game set up the game’s first touchdown. A 55-yard punt return that featured two LSU missed tackles and a questionable block in Dylan Carpenter’s back added another score.
On the final play before halftime, Kentucky head coach Will Stein elected to go on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. A ‘tush push’ of a motionless quarterback Kenny Minchey provided Kentucky’s third score and a halftime lead despite LSU’s advantage in plays run (41-24) nearly a 2-1 advantage in time of possession.
Blake Baker’s defense settled in in the second half and held the Wildcats to three points on two punts, a turnover on downs and three field goal attempts.
LSU got a lead on a gorgeous double pass from Jackson Harris to Roman Mothershed for a 27-24 lead with 9:42 left. The defense was able to get the ball back on the first two of two missed field goal attempts from Zouagai.
Instead of adding to the lead, Leavitt carelessly fumbled the ball back to the Wildcats.
THE STATS
LSU won the yardstick 410-401
Kentucky averaged 4.8 yards per carry.
UK won the turnover battle 2-0.
First Downs: 26-19 LSU.
Sam Leavitt: 25-for-34, 275 yards, 2 TD, INT fumble
Kenny Minchey: 23-for-36, 246 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT
CJ Baxter: 19 carries, 123 yards, 2 TD
THE PLAYS
LSU marched 69 yards on 14 plays in 6:15. The drive stalled in the red zone, and Scott Starzyk made a 24-yard field goal. LSU, 3-0.
Baxter burst 76 yards on Kentucky’s first snap before PJ Woodland caught him at the 3-yard line. Baxter scored on the next snap. 79 yards on two carries. Kentucky 7-3 Wildcats.
LSU went right back down the field offensively and hit Kentucky with the flea-flicker that sprung Zach Grace wide open on the right sideline and easily into the end zone from the five for a 22-yard touchdown. LSU, 10-7
Brock Coffman returned Grant Chadwick’s second-quarter punt 55 yards for a touchdown. Kentucky, 14-10 with 13:06 before halftime.
LSU’s offense took the ball and regained the lead with a 75-yard, 14-play touchdown drive. Dilin Jones converted a fourth-and-one run, and Jackson Harris held on while being blasted in the end zone for a 10-yard score. LSU, 17-14.
On the final play before halftime, Kentucky plunged in from a yard out to take the halftime lead 21-17. Minchey kept it on a tush push. He was stopped a yard shy of the goal line and was carried over the plane by his backfield mates.
LSU’s defense got the three-and-out it needed, but Leavitt was picked off on LSU’s first snap. The throw was high and tipped by intended receiver Tre Wilson.
LSU’s defense came up with the stop on fourth-and-three from the Tigers’ 18-yard line. Will Stein gambled and came up snake eyes. Deuce Geralds tipped the ball at the line of scrimmage.
LSU drove inside the Kentucky 10 but stalled and settled for a 24-yard try from Starzyk. Kentucky, 21-20, with 2:13 to play in the third.
Kentucky added to its lead with a chip shot field goal from Adam Zouagai. Kentucky, 24-20 with 11:54 left.
A little more razzle-dazzle from LSU gave the Tigers the lead. A double pass from Leavitt to Harris, then down the field to Mothershed, went for a 41-yard touchdown to cap a 75-yard drive. LSU, 27-24 with 9:42 to play.
LSU got a third-down stop in the red zone with a sack of Minchey, and Zouagai missed badly from 46 yards. LSU took over with 4:57 left and a three-point lead.
Leavitt turned the ball over again, fumbling while extending a play, and Kentucky fell on it at the LSU 13.
The defense held and forced a 26-yard field goal. It was missed wide right.
LSU elected to punt from its own 43-yard line. It was picked up and returned to the Kentucky 18.
Kentucky drove down to the 17-yard line. Zouagai was good from 33 yards out to send the game to overtime.
Leavitt scored on LSU’s second overtime play, and the Tigers took a seven-point lead, 34-27.
Kentucky answered with a touchdown, and for the second straight week Stein elected to go for two and the win.
