Louisville’s quarterback Lincoln Kienholz delivered a dramatic second‑half performance that nearly forced a comeback against Ole Miss, as the Rebels ultimately edged out a 41‑38 victory.
A Rocky Start
Early in the contest, Kienholz struggled with accuracy and decision‑making, contributing to a meager 83 total yards for Louisville in the first half and a missed touchdown pass to Tre Richardson that highlighted the growing pains of his rookie season.
The turning point arrived in the third quarter when Kienholz connected on a 27‑yard touchdown pass to TreyShun Hurry, followed by a sharp two‑point conversion that brought the Cardinals within two points at 24‑24. His poise under pressure was evident as he later orchestrated a 54‑yard rushing touchdown with 3:09 left, tying the game at 38.
Jeff Brohm, who had recruited Kienholz with high expectations, praised the quarterback’s resilience, noting that the young signal‑caller’s ability to both pass and run gave the Cardinals a versatile weapon for the future.
With 307 passing yards in his debut, Kienholz set a new benchmark for a Cardinals quarterback’s first‑game output, underscoring his potential to define his legacy at the University of Louisville.
While the loss leaves the Cardinals with a narrow margin, Kienholz’s emergence offers a promising glimpse into the offensive direction Louisville will pursue as it looks ahead to the next season.