LSU coach Lane Kiffin criticized an officiating decision after Kentucky’s 35-34 overtime victory over LSU on Saturday in Lexington, saying a line judge gave him an explanation for not stopping a disputed goal-line play before halftime.
With three seconds left in the second quarter and Kentucky at the LSU 1-yard line, Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey carried the ball into a pile of players. LSU appeared to halt his progress near the goal line, but Kentucky’s offensive line continued pushing and Minchey was awarded a touchdown. No whistle had stopped the play.
At a Sunday press conference, Kiffin said the line judge told him “he would have been killed” if he had blown the whistle to end the play. Kiffin said officials should apply the forward-progress rule consistently, rather than letting the importance of a play affect whether they stop it.
The touchdown was one of several disputed moments in the game, which Kentucky won in overtime. LSU scored first in the extra period, then Kentucky answered with a touchdown. The Wildcats chose to attempt a two-point conversion to win. A flag was thrown after a Kentucky player appeared to move before the snap, but the penalty was negated after Kentucky called a timeout. Minchey then scored on the next conversion attempt.
Kiffin’s account of the line judge’s explanation is based on his remarks at the press conference; the source material does not include a response from the official or the officiating crew.
