Lane Kiffin claims ref told him 'he would have been killed' if he blew whistle before Kentucky touchdown

With three seconds remaining in the second quarter and the ball on the LSU one-yard line, Kentucky was faced with a decision to make: kick the field goal and tie the game at 17, or grab hold of the momentum with a touchdown.This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners.If you sign up or place a wager, FOX News may be compensated.

This content was created by a team that works independently from the FOX newsroom.Kentucky head coach Will Stein opted for the latter option, and Wildcats quarterback Kenny Minchey punched it into the end zone at the end of the half, but it wasn't without controversy.Louisiana State Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin talks with an official in a game between the LSU Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats on October 10, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY.(Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The LSU defense appeared to stop Minchey at the goal line as the rugby-like scrum came to a stop, but a second effort by the Kentucky offensive line eventually pushed the quarterback across the goal line.It was one of those instances in which the officials could have blown the play dead before the runner was down, but instead, there was no whistle, and the Wildcats were awarded a touchdown.Louisiana State Tigers head coach Lane Kiffin in a game between the LSU Tigers and the Kentucky Wildcats on October 10, 2026, at Kroger Field in Lexington, KY.

(Photo by Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) (Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)LANE KIFFIN IS STARING DOWN DISASTROUS YEAR ONE AS OFFSEASON PLEAS FOR PATIENCE FALL ON DEAF EARSDuring a Sunday press conference, Kiffin was asked about the specific play at the end of the opening half, and claimed that the line judge told him "he would have been killed" if he blew the play dead."The line judge just said that, in that situation, there was too much at stake," Kiffin explained."He said he would have been k...