Ole Miss and Louisville face off in an intriguing Week 1 matchup between two teams that could both compete in their respective conferences this season.
The Rebels are coming off a College Football Playoff
semifinal appearance and return their star quarterback-running back duo of Trinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy after both were among the best at their positions in 2026. Louisville, meanwhile, is handing over the offense to first-time starter Lincoln Kienholz, who was a backup at Ohio State the past three seasons.
Watch Ole Miss vs. Louisville in Week 1 of the college football season live with Fubo (free trial)
It also marks the first regular season game for first-year coach Pete Golding, who was elevated from defensive coordinator to head coach after Lane Kiffin left Ole Miss for LSU before the CFP. John David Baker will also call plays for the first time after former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr. followed Kiffin.
The Cardinals aren't short of offensive weapons, either, with running back tandem Isaac Brown and Keyjuan Brown returning after both speedsters averaged over seven yards per carry in 2025.
Follow along for live updates and highlights from Ole Miss vs. Louisville, one of the top matchups of Week 1:
Ole Miss vs Louisville live score
This section will be updated live.
Ole Miss vs Louisville live updates
Louisville takes 3-0 lead
08:03 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightLouisville takes a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard field goal from Carson Hilbert, capping off a 10-play, 47-yard drive that takes 6:33 of game clock. Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz shows some dual-threat ability on the drive, completing 3-of-3 passes for 34 yards, along with an 8-yard designed run.
Rough start for Ole Miss
07:48 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightIt's a rough start for Ole Miss, which goes three-and-out to start the game. An errant snap sails over Trinidad Chambliss' head on second down, before Kewan Lacy drops a swing pass on third down.
Ole Miss receives first
07:47 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightLouisville kicks off, and we're underway from Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Here comes Trinidad Chambliss and Ole Miss.
Why did Trinidad Chambliss, Kewan Lacy return to Ole Miss?
07:10 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightTrinidad Chambliss and Kewan Lacy blossomed into being one of the most-dynamic backfields in college football last season under former Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, but opted not to follow Kiffin to LSU in the transfer portal.
Chambliss and Lacy instead wanted to create their own legacy with the Rebels. Here's why.
Where is Ole Miss vs Louisville being played?
05:36 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightOle Miss-Louisville is being played at Nissan Stadium, home of the Tennessee Titans, in Nashville. The game is a part of the inaugural Music City Kickoff, which will be an annual, neutral-site game held at the stadium each Week 1 moving forward.
Lincoln Kienholz stats
04:01 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin CurtrightFormer Ohio State backup quarterback Lincoln Kienholz will make his first career start for Louisville tonight after transferring over the offseason. The former blue-chip recruit saw limited action for the Buckeyes, but joins a program with past quarterback success under head coach Jeff Brohm, a former quarterback himself.
Here are Kienholz's college stats:
- 2023: 10-of-22 passing for 111 yards; six carries for two yards
- 2024: Didn't play
- 2025: 11-of-14 passing for 139 yards with a touchdown; 11 carries for 66 yards with two touchdowns
Ole Miss vs Louisville predictions, picks, odds
03:51 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin Curtright- Spread: Ole Miss (-7)
- Over/under: 55.5
- Moneyline: Ole Miss -275 | Louisville +220
- Prediction: Ole Miss 34, Louisville 24
Louisville hangs with Ole Miss, but ultimately the Rebels' offense with Chambliss and Lacy is too much for the Cardinals to deal with. Louisville keeps it close in the second half before Ole Miss pulls away.
Ole Miss vs Louisville time today
03:51 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin Curtright- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 6
- Location: Nissan Stadium (Nashville)
Rebels-Cardinals is set for a 7:30 p.m. ET kickoff on Sunday, Sept. 6, from Nissan Stadium in Nashville.
What TV channel is Ole Miss vs Louisville on today?
03:51 PM ET, September 6 2026, Austin Curtright- TV: ABC
- Streaming: ESPN app, Fubo (free trial)
Ole Miss-Louisville will air live on ABC, with streaming options available on the ESPN app or Fubo, which offers a free trial.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ole Miss vs Louisville football live updates: Week 1 game score, highlights
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