LEXINGTON, Ky. - 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. poll, when the Buckeyes dropped to No. 2 after losing the BCS national championship game to Florida.
An unpredictable season took a new twist Saturday when LSU, in its second week as No. 1, was upset 43-37 in triple overtime by Kentucky. A few hours later, California, poised to move up one spot to No. 1 with a victory, lost at home 31-28 to Oregon State.
It was the first time in 11 years the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the AP poll lost on the same day.
The Buckeyes received 50 of a possible 65 first-place votes, and were not the only team to advance. South Florida, which had never been ranked before this season, moved up three spots to No. 2, leapfrogging No. 3 Boston College.
Ohio State and South Florida were also held the top two spots in the first BCS standings released Sunday.
The Bulls received 11 first-place votes after a 64-12 victory over Central Florida.
“The big thing for me is being fluid and don't be afraid of making drastic changes,” said Kirk Bohls of the Austin-American Statesman, who voted USF No. 1. “That's why I put USF one. I think you have to look at the whole body of work.”
BC's workmanlike 27-14 victory over Notre Dame helped get the Eagles one first-place votes. No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 5 LSU each received one first-place vote, as did No. 12 Arizona State.
The last time six teams received first-place votes after the first month of the season was Nov. 25, 1990.
The rest of the top 10 was No. 6 South Carolina, followed by Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia and Cal, which slipped eight spots to No. 10.
Virginia Tech was No. 11, followed by Arizona State and Southern California, which fell another three spots to No. 13.
USC was the preseason No. 1, but lost the top ranking three weeks ago after a lackluster victory at Washington. The Trojans slipped to No. 10 last week after being upset by Stanford.
Florida was No. 14, followed by Kansas and Missouri, which were tied at No. 15. Hawaii, Auburn, Texas and Tennessee rounded out the top 20.
Georgia, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Michigan and Kansas State were the final five.
Michigan started the season at No. 5 and fell all the way out after an opening loss to Appalachian State. The Wolverines have won five straight after starting the season 0-2.
Dropping out this week were Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida State.
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. poll, when the Buckeyes dropped to No. 2 after losing the BCS national championship game to Florida.
An unpredictable season took a new twist Saturday when LSU, in its second week as No. 1, was upset 43-37 in triple overtime by Kentucky. A few hours later, California, poised to move up one spot to No. 1 with a victory, lost at home 31-28 to Oregon State.
It was the first time in 11 years the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the AP poll lost on the same day.
The Buckeyes received 50 of a possible 65 first-place votes, and were not the only team to advance. South Florida, which had never been ranked before this season, moved up three spots to No. 2, leapfrogging No. 3 Boston College.
Ohio State and South Florida were also held the top two spots in the first BCS standings released Sunday.
The Bulls received 11 first-place votes after a 64-12 victory over Central Florida.
“The big thing for me is being fluid and don't be afraid of making drastic changes,” said Kirk Bohls of the Austin-American Statesman, who voted USF No. 1. “That's why I put USF one. I think you have to look at the whole body of work.”
BC's workmanlike 27-14 victory over Notre Dame helped get the Eagles one first-place votes. No. 4 Oklahoma and No. 5 LSU each received one first-place vote, as did No. 12 Arizona State.
The last time six teams received first-place votes after the first month of the season was Nov. 25, 1990.
The rest of the top 10 was No. 6 South Carolina, followed by Oregon, Kentucky, West Virginia and Cal, which slipped eight spots to No. 10.
Virginia Tech was No. 11, followed by Arizona State and Southern California, which fell another three spots to No. 13.
USC was the preseason No. 1, but lost the top ranking three weeks ago after a lackluster victory at Washington. The Trojans slipped to No. 10 last week after being upset by Stanford.
Florida was No. 14, followed by Kansas and Missouri, which were tied at No. 15. Hawaii, Auburn, Texas and Tennessee rounded out the top 20.
Georgia, Texas Tech, Cincinnati, Michigan and Kansas State were the final five.
Michigan started the season at No. 5 and fell all the way out after an opening loss to Appalachian State. The Wolverines have won five straight after starting the season 0-2.
Dropping out this week were Wisconsin, Illinois and Florida State.
Citizen
Hot Jobs
New! Off the Menu
The Citizens' Say
Post your comment - click hereThere are 1 comment(s)
cheeko wrote on Oct 15, 2007 5:50 PM: