Kienholz Makes History in Louisville's 41-38 Loss to No. 9 Ole Miss
Source: Dakota News Now Sports. Casualplayhub News adds summary, context, and editorial framing while linking back to the original report.
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NASHVILLE – The University of Louisville football team stepped onto Nissan Stadium with high hopes for the 2026 season, but a last-second field goal from Ole Miss left the Cardinals heartbroken in a 41-38 defeat. Despite the loss, the night belonged to true freshman Lincoln Kienholz, a graduate of Pierre High School in South Dakota, who made his first collegiate start and carved his name into the program's record books.
Kienholz finished 18-of-29 for 307 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first Louisville quarterback to surpass 300 passing yards in a season opener. His composure in the pocket and ability to deliver under pressure kept the Cardinals in the game against a top-10 opponent. “We fought tooth and nail until the end,” said head coach Jeff Brohm, whose voice carried both pride and frustration. “We had some good moments. Some other moments weren’t as good. When you play good football teams, it’s not going to be smooth. You have to try to win 51 percent of the plays to their 49 percent and barely win – but unfortunately, they won 51 percent.”
The game unfolded with Louisville striking first. On their opening drive, Carson Hilbert connected on a 25-yard field goal to give the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. Ole Miss responded in the second quarter with a 43-yard field goal from Lucas Carneiro, then took the lead on a 1-yard plunge by Keywan Lacy. Hilbert’s 46-yard field goal as time expired in the half cut the deficit to 10-6.
The third quarter turned into a fireworks display. Tre Richardson broke free for a 30-yard rushing touchdown on Louisville’s first possession, putting the Cardinals ahead 13-10. Ole Miss answered quickly when Trinidad Chambliss hit Deuce Alexander for a 62-yard touchdown. Hilbert added a 45-yard field goal to bring Louisville within one, but Chambliss found Alexander again from 62 yards out to push the lead to 24-16. With just 16 seconds left in the quarter, Kienholz connected with Richardson on a 62-yard scoring strike, tying the game at 24.
The fourth quarter became a back-and-forth thriller. Ole Miss reclaimed the lead on a 35-yard touchdown pass from Chambliss to Caleb Odom, then extended it to 38-24 on a 5-yard rushing score by Chambliss. Louisville refused to fold. Kienholz hit Lawayne McCoy for a 54-yard touchdown with 4:42 remaining, then scrambled for a 7-yard score with 1:28 left to tie the game at 38.
But Ole Miss had the final say. The Rebels marched 44 yards in eight plays, setting up Carneiro for a 48-yard field goal as time expired. The kick sailed through, handing Louisville a painful defeat.
Defensively, Koen Entringer and T.J. Capers led the Cardinals with seven tackles each. Stanquan Clark added six tackles and an interception in the second quarter, giving Louisville a critical turnover. Carson Hilbert was perfect on the night, hitting all three field goals and both extra points.
Louisville will look to bounce back on September 11 when they host Villanova at L&N Federal Credit Union Stadium, with kickoff set for 7 p.m. ET on ACC Network.
Article commentary
Lincoln Kienholz’s debut offered a glimpse of a bright future for Louisville football, even if the scoreboard didn’t cooperate. The true freshman from Pierre, South Dakota, walked into a hostile environment against a top-10 Ole Miss team and delivered a performance that defied his inexperience. His 307-yard outing marked not only a personal milestone but also the first 300-yard passing game by a Louisville quarterback in a season opener – a testament to his poise and the coaching staff’s trust. What stood out most was Kienholz’s ability to respond to adversity. After a shaky first half, he engineered three touchdown drives in the final 17 minutes, two of which tied the game. His 62-yard strike to Tre Richardson at the end of the third quarter showcased his arm strength, while the 7-yard scramble with 1:28 left demonstrated his mobility and decision-making. For a quarterback making his first start, these moments reveal a player who thrives under pressure. However, the loss also exposed areas of concern. Louisville’s defense struggled to contain Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss, who threw for three touchdowns and added a rushing score. The Rebels’ ability to strike quickly – particularly on 62-yard touchdowns to Deuce Alexander – highlighted breakdowns in Louisville’s secondary. While the defensive front recorded seven tackles from Entringer and Capers, they failed to generate consistent pressure, allowing Chambliss to find open receivers downfield. From a strategic standpoint, the game underscored the razor-thin margin between winning and losing at the highest level. Coach Jeff Brohm’s postgame remarks about winning 51 percent of plays were not just philosophical; they reflected the reality of a contest that saw four lead changes and a final-second field goal. Louisville executed well in critical moments – scoring touchdowns on two of their last three drives – but struggled to maintain momentum earlier, particularly in the second quarter when they managed only three points. The special teams unit proved reliable, with Carson Hilbert converting all three field goals, including a 46-yarder and a 45-yarder. That consistency will be vital moving forward. Tre Richardson emerged as a versatile weapon, contributing both on the ground and through the air. His 83 receiving yards and two touchdowns make him a focal point for future game plans. Looking ahead, Louisville’s schedule does not ease up. Hosting Villanova offers a chance to steady the ship before conference play. For Kienholz, the foundation is set. The question now is how the team builds on an opening performance that showed grit, promise, and an unmistakable hunger to compete with the nation’s best.