Jeff Brohm and the Cardinals are looking to bounce back in a big way as Louisville travels to face the 2-2 North Carolina State Wolfpack. The Cardinals are coming off a disappointing performance, as Louisville lost 30-27 to Wake Forest, even though the Cardinals were a near two-touchdown favorite.
Louisville vs. North Carolina State: how to watch, odds, injuries, and more
Now, Louisville will look to get back in the win column and improve to 3-2, but it won’t be easy. While NC State has been a bit underwhelming this season, Carter-Finley Stadium is not an easy place to play, especially when your starting quarterback is banged up.
The first injury report was released Wednesday evening, and Louisville fans will be holding their breath the rest of the week about their starting quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.
Lincoln Kienholz listed Questionable for Saturday's matchup
Earlier this week, Jeff Brohm provided a concerning injury update on Kienholz, stating the QB1 has “something.”
"He has something," stated Brohm. "I'm not going to probably elaborate. It will be a game-time decision."
Now, Cardinals fans noticed that on the first injury report, the star QB is listed as questionable.
For Louisville, QB Lincoln Kienholz is questionable for the NC State game. pic.twitter.com/xMKDvB0Ecy
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) October 1, 2026
Kienholz has been a true star for Louisville, emerging as one of the top dual-threat quarterbacks in college football. His injury status is going to be crucial for the Cardinals' chances on Saturday, as the 4-star transfer from Ohio State has thrown for 1,140 yards and seven touchdowns, while also rushing for 134 yards and leading the team with six rushing touchdowns.
If Kienholz isn’t cleared and ready to go Saturday, Louisville will turn to either 4-star freshman Briggs Cherry or West Georgia transfer Davin Wydner. The 4-star freshman was dominant in high school, ranking as high as No. 263 in the 2026 recruiting class and No. 18 among quarterbacks.
As for Wydner, the transfer is another dual threat who threw for 3,390 yards and 10 touchdowns at West Georgia and rushed for 670 yards and 10 touchdowns, according to ESPN.
However, with Louisville hoping to improve to 3-2 and with this being the Cardinals' first true road game, Cardinals fans are holding their breath and hoping Kienholz is ready to go for Saturday. Kienholz has not only been one of the top rising stars in college football, but he has emerged as a true leader in the Cardinals locker room.
If Louisville wants to go on an ACC Title run, it starts this Saturday against NC State. There is no debate: Saturday is a must-win game, and Kienholz's availability will be massive for the Cardinals' chances to not only win this week but also pursue their ACC Title dreams. Louisville fans will keep a close eye on Kienholz's status, and hopefully they get good news in the next report.
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