Kentucky topples top-ranked LSU in third overtime

[medium_pimpin]

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) -- Kentucky topped them all by toppling No. 1 LSU.

Andre Woodson and the Wildcats became the latest team to shake up the national title race, and the first in nearly four years to take down the top-ranked team in the regular season, beating the Tigers 43-37 in triple overtime Saturday.

Woodson found Steve Johnson wide open in the end zone for a 7-yard score in the third extra period. The 2-point conversion, required after two overtimes, failed but it didn't matter.

With a chance to win it, LSU (6-1, 3-1 SEC) couldn't get a first down on four straight running plays. Charles Scott was stopped a yard short on fourth-and-2 and No. 17 Kentucky (6-1, 2-1) had it's first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964, when it beat Mississippi.

"It proved we're a team that obviously earns a lot more respect now," Woodson said in the middle of the on-field celebration. "We've come a long way from being a doormat in the SEC to competing with the best teams in the SEC and getting some wins."

No highly ranked team seems safe in a season of surprises. It started with Appalachian State knocking off then-No. 5 Michigan in Week 1. In the past two weeks, nine teams ranked in the top 10 have lost, including No. 2 USC falling 24-23 to Stanford last week.

No. 1 had been safe though, until now.

The last time a No. 1 team was beaten during the regular season was Dec. 6, 2003, when Kansas State beat Oklahoma 35-7 for the Big 12 title.

The last No. 1 team to lose in overtime was Miami, beaten by Ohio State in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl.

Kentucky took its turn this time, led by a Heisman Trophy contender at quarterback.

Woodson wasn't sharp early but completed 21 of 38 passes for 250 yards, throwing for three TDs and running for another. He largely had to carry the load with top rusher Rafael Little sidelined with a bruised thigh.

On the winning TD, Johnson was wide open because defender Jonathan Zenon tripped and fell. Woodson double-pumped before firing a strike.

"Whenever it starts to look dark, that's when they dig down and find something extra," Kentucky coach Rich Brooks said.

LSU became No. 1 two weeks ago for the first time since 1959. In its first game as the top team, the Tigers escaped with a 28-24 win over Florida last week when Jacob Hester scored on a 2-yard run with less than a minute left.

This week, LSU couldn't escape and it looks like the Tigers' stay atop the rankings will be a short one.

The first Bowl Championship Series standings come out Sunday.

Fans at Commonwealth Stadium stormed the field, in a scene reminiscent of 2002, the last time these teams played in Lexington. Only that time, it was a false alarm because LSU's Devery Henderson scored on a 75-yard tipped pass as time expired in what is still known in Baton Rouge as the "Bluegrass Miracle."

Early on Saturday, it didn't seem like this game was heading to a miracle finish. It didn't seem like the Tigers would need one.

But starting with a minute left in the third quarter, Kentucky scored 13 straight points to tie it at 27. Both teams scored rushing TDs in the first OT and field goals in the second.

Woodson, who earlier this season broke Trent Dilfer's major college record of 271 consecutive passes without an interception, had two picked off Saturday.

The Wildcats took an early 7-0 lead after Woodson's tipped, wobbly pass was grabbed in the end zone by T.C. Drake.

The Tigers didn't wait long to answer. Two long runs -- 27 yards from Trindon Holliday and 55 yards from Scott -- set up Scott's first TD, a 1-yard plunge, to tie the game at 7. The Tigers tacked on another TD by Scott, from 13 yards out, late in the first half.

Kentucky closed the deficit to 17-14 at halftime when Woodson found Steve Johnson on a 50-yard post, then scrambled 12 yards untouched into the end zone.

Until late in the game, Kentucky did little against LSU's top ranked defense, which had allowed fewer than 200 yards a game.

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/recap?gameId=272860096

[Deathray]

I watched some of that game... it was great to see

[gregb0b]

Cal looses too! What a noob QB mistake.

my rank prediction

#1 Ohio State

#2 Boston College

#3 USF USF USF USF USF USF

YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

[spenser.d]

Well at least some good came of today. My Badgers are messing things up bigtime. Maybe I was just spoiled from last season, but still, we're making some terrible mistakes. We managed to drop 14 places after losing last week and my best guess is that we probably won't even be ranked anymore :(

-Spenser

[Valerus]

Well, LSU lost...so did A&M. Boo. :(

[Yorak]

Well at least some good came of today. My Badgers are messing things up bigtime. Maybe I was just spoiled from last season, but still, we're making some terrible mistakes. We managed to drop 14 places after losing last week and my best guess is that we probably won't even be ranked anymore :(

-Spenser

Sorry, Penn State whooped you up. :D

And yeah watched the last quarter + all 3 overtimes. It was great. Kentucky isn't the best team, but they kept trying and trying and never gave up.

[L3thal Veteran]

This is what college football is all about (and why I believe its better than the NFL). All of a sudden, the rankings are flipped upside down 24 hours before they release the BCS rankings and you have a USF team that has been in existence for only 11 years and will now be ranked 3rd in the nation after not even being considered for a top 40 ranking during the preseason.

This is crazy :laugh:

[IlliniPi]

I absolutely loved watching this game...L3thal hit the nail on the head with why I dig college ball over the pros.

Illinois definitely had a disappointing loss for me...going from some rather terrible seasons as of past to this year has just been amazing. Still have OSU to go up against and I'm not even sure what to think of Michigan next week.

[L3thal Veteran]

I correct myself: USF is ranked 2nd past BC :woot:

Now that Rutgers is nowhere in the chase, I will be rooting for the underdogs :yes:

I can't describe how much I love college football :D

[ObiWanToby]

Urgh, now OSU is ranked #1, and here at OSU, football is like a religion...and saddly I think all the games they play this year, they'll win.

[L3thal Veteran]

I still have a feeling they will lose with Michigan. Michigan would love nothing more but to ruin OSU's shot at the national championship. Keep an eye on that game. However, based on what has occurred in the past 3 weeks, nothing is certain.

[spenser.d]

Sorry, Penn State whooped you up. :D

Thanks for putting it so nicely. I call it 'getting annihilated' :p

You guys just watch, WI will beat OSU @ OSU and then everyone will be talking :p

-Spenser

No, I don't honestly expect that to happen.

[L3thal Veteran]

Anyone can beat anyone nowadays. Every team in the top 12 in the BCS standings are in life support as we speak :p

[gregb0b]

USF is ranked #2 in the BCS :)! We have Rutgers, Cincinnati, and Louisville left in our schedule while OSU has Penn state, and Michigan State left. USF has already beat at the time #17 Auburn, #5 WV while OSU hasn't played a team in the top 20 this year. I just wish the rankings would look at schedules and if they did USF should be #1 :p.

[L3thal Veteran]

OSU has only played one team in the top 25 all season long and what a whack team it was. OSU has a tough defense, one of the best, but its not hard being the best when your opponents are below average.