Kentucky drops Louisiana State

LEXINGTON, Ky. -- As a blue stream of Kentucky fans poured from the stands to celebrate the Wildcats’ biggest victory in decades, Andre Woodson was in the middle of the party calmly talking about taking down No. 1 Louisiana State.

“It proved we’re a team that obviously earns a lot more respect now,” Woodson said after No. 17 Kentucky beat the Tigers, 43-37, in a three-overtime game Saturday. “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.”

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.

Woodson found Steve Johnson open in the end zone for a seven-yard touchdown in the third extra period. The two-point conversion, required after a second overtime, failed but it didn’t matter.

With a chance to win it, Louisiana State couldn’t get a first down on four consecutive running plays. Charles Scott was stopped by Braxton Kelley a yard short on fourth and two.

“He came out of nowhere,” said Scott, who came off the field in tears. “I thought I was close.”

Not close enough, and Kentucky (6-1, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) had its first victory over a No. 1 team since 1964, when it beat Mississippi.

“We are shocked,” linebacker Darry Beckwith said. “Anytime you lose, it hurts. We just have to keep our heads up.”

Kelley called it another clutch play from an underdog in a season of surprises.

“Football is football,” Kelley said. “Each player has the drive to make plays, and all around the nation right now, people are doing that.”

No highly ranked team seems to be safe this season. It started with Appalachian State knocking off No. 5 Michigan in Week 1. In the last two weeks, nine teams ranked in the top 10 have lost, including No. 2 USC falling to Stanford, 24-23, Oct. 6.

No. 1 had been safe though, until now, the day before the first Bowl Championship Series standings come out.

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

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

On the final touchdown, Johnson was wide open because defender Jonathan Zenon tripped and fell down. 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.

Louisiana State (6-1, 3-1) became No. 1 two weeks ago for the first time since 1959. In its first game as the No. 1 team in 48 years, Louisiana State escaped with a 28-24 win over Florida Oct. 6 when Jacob Hester scored on a two-yard run with less than a minute left.

Saturday, the Tigers couldn’t escape and it looks as if their stay atop the rankings will be a short one.

“I don’t think we were good,” Cach Les Miles said. “I think there’s a lot of things we can correct. We all can look at execution. It cost us tonight.”