Nearly seven minutes of game time had passed. The No. 10 LSU Tigers and Lane Kiffin just went on a 14-play, 69-yard drive and finished it off with a field goal, scoring the first points of the night in Lexington.
Kentucky fans were eager to see the Wildcat offense take the field, with all knowing the implications of the team’s future if they can somehow knock down the Tigers.
On the first play of the drive, quarterback Kenny Minchey took the snap and handed the ball to running back CJ Baxter, with all that was in front of him in mere seconds was green grass.
For a moment, the coaches stopped, the crowd gasped and time stood still. Reality took over quickly – Baxter had just broke a 77-yard run.
The Big Blue Nation was in full freak-out mode, as their RB1 stood up from the chunk play like he knew he was meant to do this whole football thing.
Joe Sloan let him get the rock again, leading to his seventh touchdown on the year. Baxter spun the ball and crossed his arms, doing his best to act cool in front of 60,000+ fans at Kroger Field, but you could tell that as he jogged back over to the sideline that he had that joyous, little-kid energy about him that couldn’t believe what had just happened.
There wasn’t enough time to think really, because before he knew it, he would be punching it in again to put the Wildcats within one-point of the Tigers in overtime. He lined back up, knowing that Will Stein would elect to go for the two-point conversion just like the week prior. Minchey ran it in, and the Wildcats just officially beat the No. 10 team in the nation.
College kids, media and even the athletic director rushed the field, but Baxter stood back for a second, watching in awe. The memories flooded his mind, remembering that feeling of hitting the turf back in 2024 and tearing his ACL, LCL and PCL in his right knee. He had to completely restart his football career and undergo extensive rehabilitation, but that was all a part of God’s plan.
After the win, he became super emotional when reflecting on his journey, one that certainly had a few bumps along the way.
“We just getting started, I’m just getting started,” Baxter exclaimed. “I had an emotional moment (after the game)…I’ve been through so much. I got the game took away from me.”
He nearly began to cry, sharing the Bible verse that he had written on his eye black.
“John 13:7 says you may not understand, you may not understand now but one day you will. That’s just something, when I went through my injuries, that I didn’t understand at the time.”
Baxter admitted he didn’t have the answers, which is hard to do when life gives you a test that no amount of studying can prepare you for.
“Coming here and having that reset…I’m super thankful for it,” he continued. “I told them (Will Stein and Sloan) after the game, I was like ‘thank y’all, thank y’all for giving me another chance.’”
He was stripped of big games like this one, but he chose to remain faithful throughout.
“All the glory goes to God…I just don’t say that, I mean that. My faith was tested a bunch when I went through those injuries, and God was the one that got me through those.”
Baxter ended his time slot with the media by crediting his faith for molding him into the player, son, boyfriend and brother that he is today, knowing that everything happens for a reason.
When Baxter touches the field next, maybe he starts the game off slow, or he might just break another long run to put his team in prime position. Regardless, John 13:7 will be standing out in silver sharpie below his eyes, a representation that proves his story is far from over.
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