Louisville football just secured its first victory of the season as the Cardinals dominated the Villanova Wildcats in a 59-13 victory. The Cardinals scored on their first four possessions, getting off to a red-hot start and taking a 24-10 lead.
Following that, it was all Louisville, as they put up 14 unanswered points and outscored Villanova 35-3 the rest of the way. A large reason for the Cardinals' dominant win was their 4-star Ohio State transfer quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz.
The Cardinals' new QB1 appears to be an absolute star in the making, as Kienholz put up historic numbers in his debut and followed it up with another dominant game, putting him in a category with Louisville legend and NFL MVP Lamar Jackson.
Lincoln Kienholz has electric first half vs Villanova
Whenever you are the first Cardinal to do it since Lamar Jackson, you know you are trending in the right direction, and that is exactly what Kienholz is doing. The Ohio State transfer had a shaky first drive, but he settled in and put on a dominant performance for the rest of his time on the field.
Kienholz finished the first half with just four completions, as he went 11-for-15 with 276 yards and two passing touchdowns, while adding 41 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Kienholz is now the first Louisville Cardinal to throw for 275 yards or more, two passing touchdowns, and two rushing touchdowns in a single half since Jackson did it in 2016 against Charlotte.
Lincoln channeling Lamar!
— ESPN Insights (@ESPNInsights) September 12, 2026
Lincoln Kienholz is the first Louisville player with 275 pass yards, 2+ pass TD and 2+ rush TD in a half since Lamar Jackson accounted for 8 TD in the 1st half vs. Charlotte in 2016 💯 pic.twitter.com/o6WPUjhtpu
Kienholz finished the game throwing for 332 yards on 16-for-21, while he rushed for 42 yards. Louisville fans were excited about Kienholz leading up to this season, but he has exceeded expectations so far.
The Ohio State transfer is throwing on the run, making tough passes, and has the chip on his shoulder that Louisville fans have wanted in their quarterback. While this game was against an FCS opponent, Kienholz throwing for 276 and two touchdowns, while also rushing for two touchdowns, is exactly what had Cardinals fans excited this offseason.
Since Brohm arrived at UofL, he has never had a QB who could threaten with his legs. Now, no one is calling Kienholz the next Lamar Jackson, but he was the first Cardinal to throw for 300 yards or more in his debut last week against Ole Miss, and now he was the first Cardinal to throw for 275 yards, two passing touchdowns, and rush for two passing touchdowns in a single half since Jackson.
There is a lot to be excited for when it comes to this quarterback, and he deserves all the praise he is getting from not just Louisville fans, but from national media.
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