By KACE KIESCHNICK, Tiger Rag Staff Reporter
LSU rallied back from a 10-point halftime deficit to earn a 20-13 road Southeastern Conference win over Kentucky in EA College Football 27’s simulation of Saturday’s matchup.
No. 10 LSU (4-1, 1-1 SEC) and Kentucky (4-1, 2-1 SEC) kick off in a real-life game at 6 p.m. Saturday on ESPN from Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky.
The Tigers held the Wildcats scoreless in the second half and punched in two fourth-quarter touchdowns to seal their first victory in Lexington since the “Bluegrass Miracle” in 2002.
Quarterback Sam Leavitt continued his rebirth as a pocket passer since injuring his hamstring against Texas A&M and completed 28 of 39 attempts for 316 yards and a touchdown while only rushing for eight yards. Unfortunately, he also continued his loose relationship with ball security, throwing three interceptions and bringing his season total to 10 in six games.
LSU outgained the Wildcats 458 yards to 322 and held Kentucky quarterback Kenny Minchey to a 50 percent (16-of-32) completion percentage, 211 passing yards and one touchdown.
Kentucky opened the night with a 22-yard touchdown pass to senior Southern Utah transfer receiver Shane Carr. LSU responded with a 34-yard field goal from Scott Starzyk, but Wildcats kicker Jacob Kauwe tacked on a 37-yard three point try of his own to give the home team a 10-3 lead at the close of the first quarter.
The Tigers were held scoreless for the rest of the half, and Kauwe hit a 40-yard field goal to make it 13-3 Kentucky at the break.
The special teams showcase continued in the third quarter as Starzyk knocked in a 29-yard field goal to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 13-6. And then the Tigers took over in the fourth. Leavitt connected with wide receiver Jackson Harris on a 5-yard score for the game’s first TD since the nine minute mark of the first quarter and tied the contest at 13-13.
Then, with just over four minutes left, LSU seldom-used running back Caden Durham found the end zone on a 5-yard run to take the Tigers’ first lead of the game. The defense stopped the Wildcats’ final effort to force overtime, and clinched a 20-13 win.
Durham surprisingly leapfrogged Harlem Berry and Stacy Gage for the No. 2 spot in the backfield. He took eight carries for 50 yards and the score while Dilin Jones ran for 84 yards on 17 attempts. Wide receiver Winston Watkins Jr. was second with 81 yards on five catches followed by six catches for 57 yards from Harris.
A duo of Kentucky receivers with Louisiana ties had big outings. LSU transfer Nic Anderson made five catches for 77 yards, and Bossier City native Kenny Darby hauled in five passes for 75 yards. Senior running back CJ Baxter was productive on the ground, rushing 14 times for 82 yards.
LSU linebacker TJ Dottery shined with Whit Weeks sidelined. The fifth-year senior racked up 10 tackles and forced a fumble. Defensive tackle Dominick McKinley and edge rusher Jordan Ross each recorded a sack.
The Tigers’ top-rated players according to CFB 27 have remained unchanged. Left tackle Jordan Seaton (93) and Green (93) are tied for the top spot while defensive end Princewill Umanmielen is third (91). Kentucky is led by center Coleton Price (89) followed by a three-way tie between left tackle Lance Heard (87), defensive tackle Tavion Gadson (87) and safety Ty Bryant (87). The Tigers have an 88 overall team rating while the Wildcats have an 81.
LSU Record vs. Simulated Games
Real Life: 4-1
Week 1: 51-10 W vs. Clemson
Week 2: 45-14 W vs. LA Tech
Week 3: 32-24 L at Ole Miss
Week 4: 35-6 W vs. Texas A&M
Week 5: 63-14 vs. McNeese State
EA Sports CFB 27: 4-1
Week 1: 44-10 W vs. Clemson
Week 2: 17-6 W vs. Louisiana Tech
Week 3: 38-36 L at Ole Miss
Week 4: 24-13 W vs. Texas A&M
Week 5: No EA game vs. FCS Mcneese State (W)
Week 6: 20-13 W at Kentucky
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