Kentucky’s night at Kroger Field had all the ingredients of a classic: the return of the Power K jerseys, a top-10 opponent on the other sideline and a finish that came down to one last snap. The Wildcats stunned No. 10 LSU, 35-34, in overtime, and Kenny Minchey’s two-point sneak delivered the knockout blow.
The game opened with Kentucky striking first after LSU hit a field goal. CJ Baxter answered by ripping off a 77-yard run and then finishing the drive on the next play to put Kentucky ahead early. From there, the night kept lurching from one swing to the next.
LSU found the end zone with a trick play. Kentucky answered with a huge special teams jolt when Lexington native Brock Coffman took a punt back for a touchdown, weaving through traffic, breaking tackles and staying along the sideline all the way to the end zone. Coffman’s return stood out even more because he came back to Kentucky after playing at Louisville last season.
The Wildcats also got a defensive spark from Ty Bryant, who picked off a pass after a deflection. Kentucky later recovered a fumble as well, giving the offense extra chances even if not all of them turned into points.
One of the boldest moments came just before halftime. Faced with fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Will Stein chose aggression over caution, and Minchey rewarded that faith with a quarterback sneak for a touchdown. That score sent Kentucky into the locker room with a 21-17 lead.
The second half brought more stress, more missed chances and more pressure on the Wildcats’ kicking game. Adam Zouagui missed two field goals, leaving points on the board in a tight game. But Stein stuck with him when it mattered most, and Zouagui came through on the kick that forced overtime.
Then came the final decision. Kentucky had one shot to finish the upset in overtime, and Stein went for two instead of playing for another round. Minchey again drove forward on a quarterback sneak, and this time the conversion sealed the 35-34 win.
Explosive plays carried a huge share of the load for Kentucky. Baxter’s long run set the tone.
Coffman’s return changed the mood in an instant. The defensive takeaway opportunities helped keep the Wildcats in the fight.
Kentucky didn’t cash in on everything it created, but it did enough to stay alive and then close the door.
Stein’s willingness to trust his players showed up over and over again, and Minchey kept delivering in the biggest spots. He finished 23 of 36 for 246 yards, and while there were rough patches - including struggles reading the field, costly sacks and missed red-zone chances - he made the plays that counted most.
That was the story of the night for Kentucky: some misses, some chaos, and then the finish. The Wildcats found a way to beat No. 10 LSU, and Big Blue Nation got a night it won’t forget.
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Kentucky Gets A Needed Boost Despite One Late Availability Concern
Kentuckys latest availability update brought some clarity going into the weekend, and it came with a bit of relief for a roster that has already spent plenty of time juggling injuries. Under the SECs new weekly reporting policy, the Wildcats had to file an official status update Friday, and it confirmed several players will be unavailable, including defensive tackle Kalen Edwards, who moved from doubtful to out.
Even with that setback, the bigger picture is more encouraging for Kentucky as it heads into the next game. The Wildcats are still expected to be short-handed, but the sense around the program is that at least three of the teams top players are on track to make it back onto the field, giving the roster a much-needed boost at a time when depth has been tested. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky Fans Get A Game Day Warning Before Sold Out LSU Night
Kentucky fans heading to Kroger Field for the sold-out LSU game are being asked to plan for more than just a full house Saturday night. Kentucky Athletics issued a weather advisory ahead of the 7 p.m. ET kickoff, noting that rainy and windy conditions are expected and that the program has already adjusted its game-day plans accordingly.
The most visible change is a rescheduled halftime drone show, while fans are being urged to come prepared with rain gear and to make sure tailgating items are secured before heading inside. The department also put out additional traffic and parking guidance to help handle the crowd, a reminder that a major SEC night at home can turn messy even before the teams take the field. [Read more 🡒]
Kentucky's Passing Surge Is Making One SEC Program Look Wrong
When Kentucky went looking for help in the passing game, Kenny Darby fit the kind of profile that can change a room quickly: a freshman receiver with SEC-level upside who had already been through a recruiting detour before landing in Lexington. Darby originally committed to LSU, but the new coaching staff did not keep him in the fold after Lane Kiffins arrival. Once Will Stein brought Joe Sloan aboard as offensive coordinator, Darby flipped to Kentucky and has wasted little time turning opportunity into production.
Through five games, Darby has become Kentuckys leading receiver, and the pace he is on has the Wildcats watching their freshman record book with real interest. He is tracking toward several program marks for a first-year pass catcher, which only sharpens the sense that Kentucky may have found more than a useful addition. For LSU, it is another reminder that roster turnover can come with a cost, and for Kentucky it is a sign the passing game is beginning to find a player who can grow into something bigger. [Read more 🡒]