Kentucky 35, LSU 34: Wildcats go for two in overtime and convert

Kentucky did not play for a second overtime. After CJ Baxter scored from a yard out to pull within 34-33, the Wildcats left the kicker on the sideline. Kenny Minchey ran in the two-point conversion, and Kentucky beat No. 10 LSU 35-34 on Saturday at Kroger Field.

It was Kentucky's second straight one-point win by that exact score, after a 35-34 result at South Carolina a week earlier. The Wildcats are 5-1. LSU falls to 4-2.

How it was won

The lead changed hands seven times in regulation. Scott Starzyk opened the scoring with a 24-yard field goal, and Baxter answered with a 3-yard run 36 seconds later. Sam Leavitt found Zach Grace for 22 yards to put LSU back in front, 10-7, after one quarter.

Kentucky's biggest swing came early in the second quarter. Brock Coffman returned a punt 55 yards for a touchdown and a 14-10 lead. Leavitt hit Jackson Harris for a 10-yard score, and Minchey answered with a 1-yard run as the half expired to make it 21-17 Kentucky.

The third quarter produced only a Starzyk 24-yard field goal. Adam Zouagui hit from 28 yards early in the fourth for a 24-20 lead, and LSU went back ahead on a trick play: Harris, the receiver, threw 41 yards to Roman Mothershed for a 27-24 lead with 9:42 left.

Kentucky tied it with 12 seconds remaining on Zouagui's 33-yard field goal. In overtime, Leavitt ran 15 yards for a touchdown and Starzyk added the kick. Baxter's 1-yard run and Minchey's conversion ended it.

LSU won most of the statistical categories. The Tigers had 410 total yards to Kentucky's 401, 26 first downs to 19, went 7 of 13 on third down and held the ball for 32:30. Leavitt completed 25 of 34 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns, and ran 15 times for 39 yards and a score. Dilin Jones had 56 rushing yards on 16 carries and a team-high 7 catches for 84 yards. Winston Watkins Jr. caught 6 for 62.

The difference sat in two columns: turnovers and special teams. LSU gave the ball away twice, including a Leavitt interception. Kentucky did not turn it over, and its punt return touchdown was the only non-offensive score of the day.

Baxter carried Kentucky's offense with 123 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries, part of 155 rushing yards. Minchey was 23 of 36 for 246 yards without a touchdown pass. Kenny Darby caught 4 passes for 79 yards and DJ Miller 4 for 54.

Against the number

LSU closed as a 9.5-point favorite, so Kentucky covered and then some, winning outright at +285 on the moneyline. LSU closed at -360.

The total closed at 50.5, and 69 points went over comfortably. The over had cashed before overtime began; regulation ended 27-27, already 54 points. Full closing prices and line history are on the game page.

What's next

LSU hosts No. 16 Mississippi State on Saturday, October 17 (ESPN / Disney+). Both of the Tigers' losses have come on the road, at No. 8 Ole Miss and now at Kentucky.

Kentucky travels to Oklahoma the same day (SEC Network). The Wildcats' only loss is a 45-17 defeat to No. 12 Alabama, and they have now won four straight, three of them by a combined 12 points or fewer against SEC opponents.