Kentucky went for two again, and beat LSU 35–34 in overtime
Kenny Minchey’s decisive run completed another one-point escape on October 10, after Adam Zouagui’s late field goal rescued the Wildcats in regulation.
Kentucky chose the win over the tie for the second straight week. Kenny Minchey ran in a two-point conversion in overtime on October 10, 2026, giving the Wildcats a 35–34 victory over No. 10 LSU at Kroger Field. The finish repeated the score and late gamble of Kentucky’s previous win at South Carolina. [1] [2]
One snap to settle it
LSU scored first in overtime on Sam Leavitt’s 15-yard run and added the extra point. Kentucky answered through C.J. Baxter, whose one-yard touchdown brought the Wildcats within a point. Will Stein again chose a two-point attempt rather than an extra-point kick. [1]
Kentucky initially lined up with tight end Willie Rodriguez in the backfield, then took a timeout and returned Minchey to the game. With five receivers spreading the defense, the quarterback spotted a lightly defended middle and ran. Stein credited Minchey with recognizing the opportunity and exercising the freedom to change the play. [2]
Overtime almost slipped away
The Wildcats needed three late field-goal attempts to reach extra time. Zouagui missed from 42 yards with 4:57 remaining and from 26 yards after a recovered LSU fumble. Kentucky still trailed 27–24 when its defense forced another punt, returning the ball with 1:37 left. [1]
Minchey moved the offense into range, and Zouagui made a 33-yarder with 12 seconds left to tie the game. The earlier misses had left Kentucky little room for another mistake; the successful kick gave the offense one more possession and Stein another decision at the goal line. [1]
The contributions behind the final play
Baxter finished with 123 rushing yards and two touchdowns. His 77-yard burst on Kentucky’s first offensive snap set up the opening touchdown, while Brock Coffman supplied a 55-yard punt-return score in the second quarter. Those explosive plays helped keep Kentucky in front at halftime. [3]
Kenny Darby’s four catches for 79 yards included two crucial gains late. His 19-yard reception helped set up the tying field goal, and his 22-yard catch-and-run in overtime took Kentucky from third-and-eight to the LSU one. Baxter’s touchdown followed two plays later. [3]
The same score, a different winning play
At South Carolina, Minchey had found Rodriguez in the back of the end zone for the winning conversion. Against LSU, he kept the ball. Stein’s willingness to try for two was consistent, but the quarterback’s response to the defensive alignment determined how the second gamble worked. [2]
Kentucky left the game 5–1 overall and 3–1 in the SEC. The school’s postgame notes identified these as its first back-to-back overtime games, both won in the opening extra period by 35–34. The identical scores conceal a pair of distinct finishes, united by a coach’s readiness to let one play decide the result. [3]
Story context and image credits
Game played October 10, 2026. Original Instagram publication: 2026-10-11T03:37:49.000Z; 6 images. Expanded website article added October 13, 2026.
View the full photo-credit recordView the original Instagram publicationSources & notes
- UK Athletics: Kentucky–LSU Postgame Notes, October 10, 2026ukathletics.com
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