Former Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz is turning heads at Louisville

Ohio State's former backup quarterback is flourishing at an ACC school. Lincoln Kienholz, who backed up Julian Sayin during the 2025 season, is turning heads as a star for Louisville. After a three-point loss to Ole Miss (currently ranked No. 4) in the season opener, Kienholz has led the Cardinals t

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What is the story about?

Ohio State's former backup quarterback is flourishing at an ACC school.

Lincoln Kienholz, who backed up Julian Sayin during the 2025 season, is turning heads as a star for Louisville. After a three-point loss to Ole Miss (currently ranked No. 4) in the season opener, Kienholz has led the Cardinals to wins against Villanova and No. 16 SMU.

In the win over SMU, Kienholz threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns while also running for 42 yards and a score. The win boosted the Cardinals' ranks in both the US LBM Coaches Poll and AP Poll to No. 16.

“They’ve got themselves a player at quarterback in Lincoln Kienholz," Jerry Neuheisel said on CBS Sports Sept. 20 "Louisville’s the benefactor of Ohio State’s riches."

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Who is Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz?

Kienholz spent three years at Ohio State

and was the backup to Sayin last fall. He appeared in 10 games at Ohio State and threw for 250 yards and one touchdown between 2023 and 2025. A mobile threat, Kienholz ran for touchdowns last season against Minnesota and Purdue.

Louisville Cardinals quarterback Lincoln Kienholz (3) walks off the field after the Cards defeated SMU Sept.19, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky. Sept.19, 2026

After this season, Kienholz has one more year of eligibility left. He redshirted during his freshman season in 2023. Kienholz committed to Louisville on Jan. 4.

Kienholz was also a three-sport athlete in high school in South Dakota, playing basketball and baseball. He was named the boys athlete of the year by USA TODAY in 2023.

In his debut game against Ole Miss, Kienholz passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran 14 times for 69 yards and a rushing touchdown.