September 6, 2026
The Louisville Cardinals opened the 2026 college football season with a heartbreaking 41-38 loss to the No. 9 Ole Miss Rebels Sunday night at Nissan Stadium.
The No. 24 Louisville Cardinals showed tremendous fight against one of the nation’s top-ranked teams, but Ole Miss kicker Lucas Carneiro delivered the final blow, connecting on a 48-yard field goal as time expired to give the Rebels the victory.
Louisville quarterback Lincoln Kienholz turned in an impressive performance in his first start, completing 18 of 29 passes for 307 yards and two touchdownswhile adding 69 rushing yards and a rushing touchdown.
The Cardinals found another gear in the second half. After trailing 24-13, Louisville battled all the way back and eventually tied the game at 38-38 with just 1:28 remaining when Kienholz scored on a 7-yard touchdown run.
Louisville appeared to have momentum, but Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss calmly guided the Rebels into field-goal range. Carneiro then drilled the game-winning kick with three seconds remaining.
Ole Miss was led offensively by Chambliss, who threw for 336 yards and three touchdowns and added a rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Deuce Alexanderwas nearly unstoppable, catching five passes for 159 yards and two touchdowns, including two 62-yard touchdown receptions.
For Louisville, Tre Richardson provided a major spark with four catches for 83 yards and a 62-yard touchdown. Lawayne McCoy also came up big with a 54-yard touchdown reception during Louisville’s furious fourth-quarter comeback.
Despite the loss, Louisville showed it can compete with nationally ranked competition. The Cardinals finished with 469 total yards and never stopped fighting against a talented Ole Miss team.
The defeat drops Louisville to 0-1, while Ole Miss opens the season 1-0.
Louisville will now turn its attention to Villanova, looking to bounce back and earn its first win of the 2026 season.
Photos by: Roscelle Griffin
Roscelle Griffin, a talented photographer from Johnson City, Tennessee, excelled as a women’s basketball player at the University of Louisville. Her passion for photography, ignited by her grandmother’s gift of a Polaroid camera, now drives her to capture moments that transport viewers into a world of boldness and excitement. Roscelle’s media company, 502 Media Now, specializes in sports videography and photography, showcasing the dynamic world of sports while also excelling in real estate, headshots, weddings, and events.
