Kentucky Powers Past LSU 35-34 In Overtime
You couldn’t ask for a better atmosphere than what you had at Kroger Field in Lexington on Saturday night. Kentucky had huge momentum after that huge comeback win over South Carolina. It was the first night game in the Will Stein era. Furthermore, the Cats were throwing it back by wearing the Power K uniforms for the first time since 1996. Throw in college football’s resident villain, Lane Kiffin, on the opposing sideline, and it had the makings of a classic, and that’s exactly what happened. For a while, things looked bleak for the BBN. However, UK rallied and walked it off for a second straight week as Kentucky Powers Past LSU 35-34 in overtime.
Kentucky Powers Past LSU 35-34 In Overtime
A Hot Start
The Tigers took the opening kick and marched straight down the field as the UK defense had no answers for Sam Leavitt. However, the group rose to the occasion, stopping them on third down, forcing a field goal. Scott Starzyk was true from 24, and it was 3-0.
Kentucky wasted no time getting on the board, taking only 30 seconds. On the first play, CJ Baxter went 77 yards straight up the middle to the LSU three. One play later, he took it the rest of the way for his seventh touchdown, and it was 7-3 Kentucky.
Losing Everywhere But The Scoreboard
Leavitt marched the Tigers right back down the field to retake the lead. Going 75 yards in 11 plays, Kiffin and offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. went into the bag of tricks, pulling out a flea flicker to hit Zack Grace on a 22-yarder, and it was 10-7.
Kentucky forced a punt on LSU’s next possession, and Brock Coffman did the rest, managing to stay inbounds to electrify the Kroger Field crowd on a 55-yard punt return.
"What a run back by Brock Coffman!"
– @tomleachKY
"Is Derek Abney here? I mean, Wow!"
– @JeffPiecoropic.twitter.com/46eud4SgfM— UK Sports Network (@UKSportsNetwork) October 11, 2026
The Tigers calmly marched down the field again with Leavitt hitting Jackson Harris on a 10-yard strike as LSU went back up 17-14. Not to be outdone, Kenny Minchey led the Cats 75 yards in 11 plays. In fact, the UK signal caller took it the last yard in a version of the “tush push” that would make Jalen Hurts and the Philadelphia Eagles proud. Kentucky went into the break leading 21-17 in a game they were losing everywhere bu the scoreboard.
How one-sided was it? LSU ran 41 plays to Kentucky’s 24, had the ball for 20:37 to the Cats’ 9:23, and outgained UK 236-171.
Both Defenses Take Over
If you read our game preview, we talked about how LSU had the second-ranked defense in the country, only allowing 220 yards per game. Honestly, other than that the final drive of the half, the Wildcat offense didn’t do a whole lot. For most of the second 30 minutes, they didn’t do much either. In fact, Kentucky started with a punt, turnover on downs, and punt.
After a field goal cut the lead to one, LSU took the lead in the fourth quarter by using more trickery. This time, it was a 42-yard double pass with Harris finding Roman Mothershead, and it was 27-24. On Kentucky’s next possession, Minchey led the Cats to the Tigers’ 25 before stalling. Adam Zouagui missed from 42, and things were looking bad for UK.
However, one thing we talked about is Leavitt being turnover-prone this year. That’s exactly what happened as he fumbled at their own 13, giving the Cats another chance. Unfortunately, Zouagui missed again, this time from 26, and the outlook was bleak.
Third Time’s The Charm
Jay Bateman’s defense needed a stop, and that’s what they did, forcing a punt. Minchey, who struggled some against the LSU defense, had his best drive of the game. Going 63 yards in 1:25, Minchey got UK into game-tying field goal position for a third time. It indeed was the charm as Zouagui was true from 33 and we headed to overtime.
Another Walk Off
It took LSU two plays to score as Leavitt took it in from 15 to give them a 34-27 lead. If that sounds familiar, that’s how OT started for Kentucky last week. On a third and eight, Minchey found Kenny Darby on a 22-yard strike down to the Tiger three. The star freshman was kept in check most of the game but had a huge fourth quarter and overtime.
Two plays later, Baxter scored, and there was no doubt Stein was going for it. After spreading the field, Minchey took it to the house for the win as Kentucky Powers Past LSU 35-34 in overtime.
WALK IT OFF 😼
📺 – ESPN pic.twitter.com/YdmxwUReCu
— Kentucky Football (@UKFootball) October 11, 2026
Looking Ahead
With the win, Kentucky goes to 5-1 on the season and 3-1 in league play. In the process, Stein becomes the first UK coach since Alpha Brumage in 1913 to go 5-1 to start his career. Furthermore, you can expect the Cats’ bowl destination to improve. Next week the Cats travel to Oklahoma to face a Sooners’ squad that saved their season by beating Texas 27-24 in the Red River Rivalry.
On the other side of the ball, LSU drops to 4-2 on the season and 1-2 in league play. The loss probably ends their playoff chances. They’ll host Mississippi State next week.
The Last Word
Kentucky became the first team in FBS history to win back-to-back overtime games by one point. It’s also the first time UK has ever played back-to-back overtimes. The win brought back memories of Kentucky knocking off number one LSU 43-37 in three overtimes back in 2007. The coach at the time, Rich Brooks, was in attendance Saturday night.
Again, you can’t give Stein enough credit for what he’s done with the program since taking over in December. Before the season, many thought five wins was the ceiling for this team. However, he’s got them there and one win away from a bowl on October 10th. They’ve got several winnable games left on the schedule, so at least thinking about a major bowl or even the playoff is certainly justified.
On a throwback night in Lexington, things couldn’t have ended any better as Kentucky powers past LSU 35-34 in overtime.
Main Image: Jordan Prather-Imagn Images
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