The Louisville Cardinals are slated to open their 2026 football season on September 6, traveling to Nissan Stadium in Nashville to take on No. 10 Ole Miss in a highly anticipated matchup that will be televised nationally on ABC.
Season Opener Set for September 6
Lincoln Kienholz, a former Ohio State backup who spent the past two years behind starters Kyle McCord and Heisman finalist Julian Sayin, is poised to make his Cardinals debut as the team’s starting quarterback.
Offensive coordinator Brian Brohm has publicly praised Kienholz’s growth during fall camp, noting the quarterback’s emerging confidence and the leadership he is beginning to exhibit within the huddle.
Opposing the Cardinals, the Ole Miss defense boasts three of the top 2025 tacklers in Will Echoles, Kam Franklin and Suntarine Perkins, presenting a formidable test for Kienholz as he prepares by studying film and refining his mechanics.
The contest will air live on ABC, with real‑time updates supplied by The Courier‑Journal, giving fans a continuous stream of analysis throughout the game.
Louisville’s 2026 slate is stacked with marquee matchups, including contests against Villanova, SMU, Wake Forest, N.C. State, Florida State, Syracuse, Stanford, Georgia Tech, North Carolina and Pitt, underscoring the Cardinals’ ambition to launch the season strong and climb the rankings.