October 31, 2026
Louisville delivered an explosive second-half performance Saturday, Oct. 31, defeating Stanford 52-24 at L&N Stadium behind a career-high four touchdowns from running back Isaac Brown and another strong performance from quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.
The Cardinals (5-3, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) extended their winning streak to three games, overcoming a competitive first half before scoring 28 unanswered points to secure their first victory over Stanford.
Brown led Louisville’s offensive attack, rushing for 139 yards and three touchdowns on just nine carries. He also caught three passes for 33 yards and another score, becoming the first Louisville player to record four touchdowns in a game since Lamar Jackson accomplished the feat against Florida State in 2016.
Kienholz continued to provide a spark for the Cardinals, completing 20 of 28 passes for 250 yards and two touchdowns while adding 62 rushing yards and a score. His performance helped Louisville finish with 545 yards of total offense, including 296 on the ground.
Cardinals Overcome First-Half Battle
Louisville opened the scoring with an 80-yard touchdown drive capped by Brown’s 5-yard run. However, Stanford responded in the second quarter behind quarterback Davis Warren, who connected with Nico Brown on a 41-yard touchdown pass and Aiden Black on a 75-yard scoring strike.
The teams exchanged leads throughout the quarter before Louisville regained control just before halftime. Kienholz found Treyshun Hurry for a 22-yard touchdown with 15 seconds remaining, sending the Cardinals into the locker room with a 24-17 advantage.
Stanford (4-5, 2-4 ACC) refused to go away, opening the second half with a 40-yard touchdown pass from Warren to Micah Ford to tie the game at 24.
That would be the Cardinal’s final score.
Louisville Takes Control After Halftime
Louisville answered immediately when Kienholz connected with Brown on an 18-yard touchdown pass, putting the Cardinals ahead 31-24.
The Louisville defense then delivered one of the game’s biggest plays. Defensive back Tayon Holloway recovered a fumble and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, extending the lead to 38-24 late in the third quarter.
Brown added a 23-yard touchdown run before the quarter ended, giving Louisville a commanding 45-24 advantage.
The sophomore running back delivered the final blow in the fourth quarter, breaking free for a 75-yard touchdown run that pushed Louisville’s lead to 52-24.
Louisville outscored Stanford 28-7 after halftime, turning what had been a close conference matchup into a decisive victory.
Richardson Steps Up for Louisville
With leading receiver Lawayne McCoy sidelined by a knee injury, senior wide receiver Tre Richardson emerged as a primary target for Kienholz.
Richardson finished with career highs of 10 receptions and 140 receiving yards, helping the Cardinals maintain an effective passing attack despite the absence of one of their top offensive weapons.
Louisville’s defense also responded when needed, limiting Stanford to 81 rushing yards while recording two sacks, an interception and a defensive touchdown.
Warren finished with 270 passing yards and three touchdowns for Stanford, but the Cardinal struggled to sustain drives against Louisville’s defense in the second half.
Cardinals Build Momentum Entering November
The victory gives Louisville renewed momentum as the Cardinals enter the final stretch of their regular-season schedule.
After an inconsistent start to the year, Louisville has now won three consecutive games and moved within one victory of bowl eligibility.
The Cardinals’ balanced offensive performance and improved defensive execution after halftime provided encouraging signs for coach Jeff Brohm as Louisville continues its pursuit of a strong finish in ACC play.
Louisville will travel to Atlanta to face Georgia Tech on Saturday, Nov. 7, while Stanford will visit Virginia Tech on Nov. 14.
For Louisville, Saturday’s victory represented more than another conference win. It showcased the Cardinals’ ability to respond to adversity, create explosive plays and take control of a game when it mattered most.
Photos by Roscelle Griffin
502 Media Now | College Football Coverage
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.
