LEXINGTON, Ky. -- Not wanting to watch Bobby Petrino win another game in Commonwealth Stadium, thousands of Kentucky fans had left by the time the real drama came Saturday night.

What they missed was an unlikely rally that left Petrino frustrated and forced Arkansas’ players to walk to the locker room as fireworks shot off around them.

The Razorbacks were in control for much of the night, but they blew a 17-point lead and a golden opportunity to move one-game above .500 with a 21-20 loss to the Wildcats.

“Saying we gave the game away is an understatement. We had (Kentucky) right where we wanted them, had them where they were about to quit,” Arkansas center Jonathan Luigs said. “Somehow they found their way back in the game.”

After suffering through a three-game losing streak that shook its confidence, Arkansas had hoped to win consecutive road games to turn around its season.

But the Razorbacks (3-4, 1-3 Southeastern Conference) did practically everything imaginable to let the Wildcats (5-2, 1-2) rally for an improbable Homecoming win before 70,534.

Arkansas running back Michael Smith had a career performance with 35 carries for a career-high 192 yards and two touchdowns (one receiving). But he was unavailable down the stretch because of a possible concussion.

His loss was costly in many ways.

Backup running back De’Anthony Curtis had a late fumble, Arkansas’ offense gained only 27 yards in the fourth quarter and its defense suffered another late collapse.

“That’s a hard one on us. We had a lot of chances to win the football game,” said Petrino, who suffered his first loss to Kentucky after four consecutive wins as Louisville coach. “... Obviously, we feel like our defense has to come up with the stop at that time and we couldn’t do it.”

Trailing 20-7 with 10 minutes remaining, Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline remained composed as he needed only four plays and 50 seconds to put together two scoring drives.

He threw a 32-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Randall Cobb to cut Arkansas’ lead to 20-14 with 4:15 left.

The Razorbacks had a chance to run out the clock, but as they had done during much of the fourth quarter, they failed to move the football. They lost five yards on three plays and were forced to punt.

That put the football back in Hartline’s hands.

With 2:39 remaining and Kentucky starting at Arkansas’ 35, Hartline completed a 14-yard pass to Cobb and then found the receiver on a 21-yard strike for the game-winner. It was also Kentucky’s first lead of the night.

Arkansas had a final chance to drive downfield and score. But after an illegal formation penalty and three incomplete passes, Dick took the snap, avoided a rush in the end zone and hurled a pass downfield for Arkansas wide receiver Greg Childs.

Kentucky free safety Marcus McClinton wrestled the ball away from Childs for the interception.

“This one hurts. We thought we had the game under control,” said Dick, who finished 11-of-29 for 94 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. “And the bottom line is that we have to find a way to play good at the end and make plays.”

The Razorbacks must now find a way to forget about the loss before perhaps their most anticipated game of the season. They host Ole Miss and former Arkansas coach Houston Nutt next Saturday in Reynolds Razorback Stadium.

“It’s real tough,” Arkansas free safety Elton Ford said. “It’s tough as a team. It’s tough as an individual.”

Kentucky gained only one yard less than Arkansas in the first half (177-176). But the Wildcats hurt themselves with a pair of turnovers that resulted in both of the Razorbacks’ touchdowns.

After Arkansas linebacker Jerry Franklin came up with a fumble, Smith showed his versatility by catching a 22-yard screen pass that gave the Razorbacks a 14-0 lead with 1:15 left in the first half.

Arkansas added to its lead in the opening minutes of the third quarter after Jeremy Davis’ punt bounced off the leg of Kentucky returner DeMoreo Ford inside the 10.

The turnover resulted in a 19-yard field goal by kicker Shay Haddock, extending the Razorbacks’ lead to 17-0.

It didn’t last, though.