Former Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz dropped a major statement that shows who he is after what went down on Sunday night
Lincoln Kienholz weathered the storm and had a strong performance against Ole Miss in his first career start. What the former Ohio State QB said after the game means as much as what he did on the field.
The college football weekend brought good news for the Ohio State Buckeyes in their season opener against Ball State, as expected. But former Buckeyes players making their debuts at new schools in Week 1 generated plenty of buzz too, and no one more than former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz.
Kienholz spent his first three seasons at Ohio State, where he battled Julian Sayin for the starting quarterback job. Sayin won that job, and Ohio State never had a reason to look back. After sticking around longer than he really had to, Kienholz transferred to Louisville, where he finally got his chance to become a starting quarterback at the college football level.
Lincoln Kienholz settles in after slow start against Ole Miss
Kienholz made his first career start Sunday evening against Ole Miss in a matchup against a top-10 team. The Cardinals were edged 41-38 in a game where they managed just six points in the first half before exploding for 32 in the second. It was rough sailing early for Kienholz against the Rebels, but he settled in and finished 18-of-29 passing for 307 yards and two touchdown passes with no interceptions.
The former Buckeye also added 14 carries for 69 yards and a rushing touchdown, including a 41-yard burst.
Outside of not getting the win, it was about as good of a debut as you could ask for. What Kienholz said after the game should mean a lot for Louisville this season. The Cardinals hope to be a College Football Playoff team, and they look like they’re going to have a chance based on how well they played in Week 1 against a quality opponent
“I think we are a legit team,” Kienholz said afterward via Cardinal Authority. “A bunch of guys that obviously want to win, a bunch of guys that are fighting for each other, playing for each other. I think we proved it tonight. Obviously, just one play away from going into overtime, but it starts with me, starts with the offense. We’re going to get that turned around this coming week.”
Leadership on display from the former Buckeye
That’s the kind of leadership Louisville needs from Kienholz. Saying it starts with him and the offense, then pledging to get it turned around, shows the mentality of a quarterback who wants to carry his team. Louisville scored 38 points, but Kienholz still doesn’t think that’s good enough. He wants to get it right.
Louisville will turn around and play Villanova on Friday before another key matchup against SMU on Sept. 19. The former Ohio State quarterback is going to be one to watch this year as a dual-threat signal caller, and Buckeye Nation is surely wishing him the best as he appears to have found a solid home for his football career.
