September 19, 2026
The Louisville Cardinals delivered a statement performance Saturday afternoon, defeating No. 16 SMU 41-31 at L&N Stadium in a back-and-forth ACC battle between two ranked teams.
Louisville, ranked No. 23 entering the game, improved to 2-1 overall and 1-0 in ACC play, while SMU dropped to 2-1 and 1-1 in conference action.
The Cardinals overcame multiple momentum swings and eight lead changes before taking control late in the fourth quarter.
Explosive Plays Power Louisville
Louisville’s running game was the difference-maker.
Keyjuan Brown delivered a career-best performance, rushing for 163 yards on 10 carries, including touchdown runs of 58 and 53 yards. His explosive running helped Louisville finish with 265 rushing yards on 37 carries.
Quarterback Lincoln Kienholz also played an efficient game, completing 14 of 23 passes for 177 yards and two touchdowns. He added 42 rushing yards and another touchdown on the ground.
Louisville finished with 442 total yards and repeatedly answered SMU’s scoring drives with big plays of its own.
A Back-and-Forth Battle
SMU opened the scoring, but Louisville answered with two touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead after the first quarter.
The Mustangs responded in the second quarter, tying the game before taking a 17-14 advantage into halftime.
Louisville came out of halftime with immediate energy. Brown broke loose for a long touchdown run, putting the Cardinals back in front 21-17.
The lead continued to change hands throughout the second half. SMU running back Kendrick Raphael had a tremendous afternoon, rushing for a career-high 197 yards and three touchdowns.
SMU eventually took a 31-28 lead early in the fourth quarter, setting up a dramatic finish.
Cardinals Take Control Late
Louisville answered with another explosive rushing touchdown, as Brown broke free for his second long touchdown of the afternoon to put the Cardinals ahead 35-31.
With just over five minutes remaining, Louisville extended its lead when Isaac Brown scored on a 27-yard touchdown run, making it 41-31.
SMU still had an opportunity to respond, but Louisville’s defense came through at critical moments.
On one late Mustangs drive, Louisville forced a fumble near the goal line, preventing what could have been a touchdown. The Cardinals then sealed the victory when Kaleb Beasley intercepted Kevin Jennings’ deep pass late in the game. Jennings finished with 222 passing yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.
Defense Makes the Difference
While SMU actually outgained Louisville 479 yards to 442 and ran 20 more plays, the Cardinals won the turnover battle 3-0. Louisville also stopped SMU twice on fourth down, with both stops eventually leading to Louisville touchdowns.
The Cardinals also remained turnover-free through their first three games of the season, a feat Louisville’s official postgame notes identify as only the second time in program history the team has accomplished that to open a season.
A Significant ACC Victory
The win gives Louisville an early conference victory and ends SMU’s undefeated start to the season.
It was also Louisville’s first victory over SMU in the programs’ series since the Mustangs joined the ACC. Louisville improved to 1-4 all-time against SMU.
The Cardinals now turn their attention to Wake Forest, which Louisville will host next Saturday.
For Louisville, Saturday’s victory was about more than simply surviving a ranked opponent. The Cardinals showed the ability to respond to adversity, create explosive plays and make critical defensive plays when the game was on the line.
Final: Louisville 41, SMU 31.
Next Up: Louisville vs. Wake Forest at L&N Credit Union Stadium, 9/26/2026 at Noon
Record: Louisville 2-1 overall, 1-0 ACC
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.
