LSU just got absolutely STUNNED in overtime by Kentucky on Saturday night, dropping a nail-biter 35-34 after the Wildcats converted a two-point try in the first period of overtime. Seriously, what a gut punch. This loss knocks the No. 10 ranked Tigers down to a 4-2 record overall and a rough 1-2 in SEC play, and both of those conference defeats have come on the road. Ouch.
Overtime Heartbreak and a Costly Decision
Man, that overtime sequence was brutal to watch. LSU had the ball first, punched in a touchdown, and then opted to kick the extra point. Standard, right? But then Kentucky got their turn, and C.J. Baxter immediately rushed for a touchdown to set up the game’s final, heart-stopping play. Instead of kicking, the Wildcats went for two, and quarterback Kenny Minchey ran it in himself. Ballgame. Just like that, Kiffin and the Tigers were on the wrong side of an upset. It’s even tougher knowing LSU only managed two touchdowns across the entire second half and overtime. We saw a brief glimpse of hope in the fourth quarter when Roman Mothershed caught a touchdown pass to put LSU ahead, but Kentucky answered right back with a drive that ended in a game-tying field goal with only 12 seconds left, forcing overtime. That momentum shift was killer.
The Numbers Tell a Tight Story, But the Result Stings
Looking at the box score, this was a tight one, which makes the loss even harder to swallow. LSU racked up 410 total yards, with Sam Leavitt throwing for 316 of those and the ground game getting 94. Kentucky was right there with 401 total yards, 246 passing, and 155 rushing. Leavitt really tried to carry the offense, putting up 275 yards through the air and adding another 39 yards on the ground. He had two touchdowns but also threw an interception, which always hurts. Dilin Jones was busy, too, with 16 rush attempts for 56 yards and caught 7 passes for 84 yards, but couldn’t get into the end zone. For Kentucky, Minchey threw for 246 yards, and Baxter was a force on the ground with 19 carries for 123 yards and that crucial overtime score. Kenny Darby also snagged 4 receptions for 79 yards for the Wildcats. The stats show a battle, but only one team walks away with the win.
This loss also highlights a concerning trend for Coach Kiffin. LSU is now 0-2 in true road games under his leadership, and both of those losses have come in SEC play. That’s gotta be a tough pill to swallow for the team and the fans.
What’s Next for the Tigers
The Tigers have to shake this off quick, because they’re heading home next week to face the Mississippi State Bulldogs. After this brutal overtime loss and falling to 1-2 in SEC play, bouncing back at home is absolutely critical. They need to figure out those road game struggles and get back to winning ways fast if they want to salvage this season.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Bleacher Report.
Leave a Reply