The Louisville Cardinals are set to open their season against Ole Miss, a matchup that promises to showcase a revamped offense anchored by a new face at quarterback.
Quarterback outlook
Projected starter Lincoln Kienholz arrives in Louisville after a high‑school career that spanned basketball, baseball, golf and bowling, giving him a rare blend of agility and poise under pressure.
His ability to extend plays with his feet has already drawn praise, as he logged two rushing touchdowns in a limited snap count for Ohio State last season and now looks to blend that rushing threat with a more polished passing repertoire.
Defensive strengths
The secondary is emerging as a particular strength, with cornerbacks Brycen Scott and Jaydin Broadnax already making headlines — Scott intercepted a pass on his very first day of practice and Broadnax recovered a fumble, while safety Tayon Holloway returns as the only holdover from a unit that surrendered just 188.8 passing yards per game in the ACC.
Depth at safety includes Koen Etringer, Kaleb Beasley, TJ Banks and Antonio Watts, giving the group a towering presence at the corners and a versatile safety corps that can shift formations on the fly.
Line and health updates
On the offensive line, new starting center Evan Wibberley joins veteran Lance Robinson, while versatile backup Lance Robinson adds experience. Heisman hopeful Isaac Brown is expected to be ready for the opener after missing Thursday’s practice for health reasons, and Briggs Cherry has impressed early with a strong arm during drills.
Coach Jeff Brohm has repeatedly emphasized the team’s depth, noting that the combination of a dynamic quarterback, a ball‑hawk secondary and a fortified line gives the Cardinals a realistic chance to compete early in the season.
The final open practices will begin on Monday, August 10, providing fans with a last glimpse of the roster before the team travels to face Ole Miss.