Kentucky Stuns No. 10 LSU in Overtime as Kenneth Minchey Delivers Game Winning Two Point Conversion

Wildcats Rally Late to Beat Tigers 35-34 in SEC Thriller

Kentucky pulled off one of the biggest upsets of College Football Week 6, rallying to defeat No. 10 LSU 35-34 in overtime Saturday night when quarterback Kenneth Minchey ran untouched into the end zone for a game winning two point conversion. The Wildcats completed the comeback after LSU scored first in overtime on a 15-yard touchdown run by quarterback Sam Leavitt.

Kentucky answered with a 1-yard touchdown run by C.J. Baxter before Minchey took matters into his own hands, finding an open path to the end zone to secure the victory. The dramatic finish capped a resilient performance by Kentucky, which overcame late missed field goals and a depleted defense to hand the Tigers a damaging conference loss.

Kentucky Overcomes Late Field Goal Misses to Force Overtime

Kentucky needed a late rally to extend the game after struggling to capitalize on scoring opportunities in the closing minutes of regulation. Kicker Adam Zouagui missed field goals from 42 and 26 yards with fewer than five minutes remaining. The second miss came after Leavitt was sacked and fumbled, giving the Wildcats a valuable opportunity to take control of the game.

Despite those setbacks, Zouagui delivered when Kentucky needed him most, connecting on a 33-yard field goal with 12 seconds remaining to tie the game and force overtime at 27-27. The Wildcats then finished the job in the extra period, overcoming LSU’s opening touchdown to secure their fifth victory of the season.

Kenneth Minchey and C.J. Baxter Lead Kentucky Offense

Minchey played a pivotal role in Kentucky’s comeback, completing 23 of 36 passes for 246 yards. He threw for 206 yards in the second half, helping the Wildcats erase their deficit and put themselves in position to win.

Baxter provided a major spark on the ground, finishing with 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. He set the tone immediately, ripping off a 77-yard run on Kentucky’s first play from scrimmage to give the Wildcats an early offensive jolt. Freshman receiver Kenneth Darby also made a significant impact. Darby, who originally committed to LSU before choosing Kentucky, caught four passes for 79 yards.

His biggest contribution came in overtime, when he hauled in a 22-yard reception to move the Wildcats to the LSU 1-yard line and set up the decisive touchdown sequence. Kentucky’s offense found a way to produce under pressure, making the most of its opportunities in the game’s biggest moments.

LSU Falls Short Despite Leavitt’s Strong Performance

LSU had several chances to put the game away but could not finish off the Wildcats. Leavitt completed 25 of 34 passes for 275 yards and two touchdowns while adding a 15-yard rushing score in overtime. However, his costly interception and the fumble late in regulation proved significant in a one-point defeat.

The Tigers briefly regained the lead late in the fourth quarter when wide receiver Jackson Harris threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to Roman Mothershed with 9:42 remaining, putting LSU ahead 27-24.

LSU appeared positioned to escape with a victory, but Kentucky’s late field goal forced overtime, where the Tigers’ defense could not prevent Minchey from delivering the decisive play. The defeat dropped LSU to 1-2 in SEC play and left the Tigers searching for answers after another opportunity slipped away.

Kentucky Wins Despite Defensive Injuries

Kentucky’s victory was particularly impressive given the number of defensive players unavailable for the matchup. The Wildcats were without three linebackers, two defensive backs and a defensive lineman, forcing them to navigate a difficult conference opponent with a depleted defensive unit.

Despite the personnel challenges, Kentucky made enough critical plays to keep the game within reach and give its offense an opportunity to decide the outcome. The win improves Kentucky to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in SEC competition, providing a significant boost to its season as conference play continues.

Next Games for Kentucky and LSU

LSU will look to regroup next Saturday when it hosts No. 17 Mississippi State in another important SEC matchup. The Tigers will need to bounce back quickly after letting a late lead slip away against Kentucky.

Kentucky faces another major test on the road next Saturday when it visits Oklahoma. After knocking off a top-10 opponent, the Wildcats will have an opportunity to build on their momentum and strengthen their position in the SEC race.

For Kentucky, Saturday night’s victory will be remembered for Minchey’s untouched two-point conversion, Baxter’s powerful running and a team that refused to quit when the game appeared to be slipping away.