Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz didn't really get a fair shot to start for the Buckeyes in his career. When he was with Ohio State, he never started a game. The only game of consequence he had a chance to really play with starters going against him was in 2023 against Missouri.
Kienholz was thrust into the Cotton Bowl after Kyle McCord decided to transfer away before the bowl game. He wasn't even the starter for that game, as Devin Brown got hurt early on. Kienholz played poorly and never got another chance again. After transferring to Louisville, he is proving that he belongs.
Former Ohio State quarterback Lincoln Kienholz lights up Ole Miss in a loss
For the first time in his collegiate career, Kienholz got the opportunity to start a game. He had a rough first half, including missing a wide-open receiver for what would have been a touchdown. That ended up looming large, as the Cardinals fell to Ole Miss 41-38 after a game-winning field goal from the Rebels.
Still, Kienholz proved that he deserves to be a starting quarterback in the P6. He finished the game 18/29 for 307 yards and two touchdowns through the air. On the ground, he ran it 14 times for 69 yards and a touchdown. The most impressive part was that he did not turn it over.
While he will lament missing a wide-open touchdown, he proved to the coaching staff and to himself that he deserves the starting job. He wasn't afforded the opportunity to start for Ohio State once he lost the starting job in 2025 to Julian Sayin. The writing was on the wall after that.
Now, it looks like he has the chance to start for a team that could compete in the ACC. Losing this game doesn't mean the Cardinals can't make the College Football Playoff. They could still win the conference in order to give themselves an automatic bid.
Ohio State football fans should be happy for Lincoln Kienholz
Kienholz stayed way longer at Ohio State than he needed to. Buckeye fans should be happy to see him have success. His first half was forgettable, but to see him bounce back was very impressive. Now, he has to win every other game Louisville plays to have a shot at making the CFP.
Losing out on the starting job to Sayin is nothing to be ashamed of. Sayin had a massive game in the Buckeyes' victory against Ball State, throwing for 320 yards without even playing the entire game. He's just a talent that Kienholz can't quite match, and that's okay.
Kienholz has a real shot to run the table. The Cardinals only play one more ranked team this season, and that is SMU in Week 3. They avoid Miami and Clemson in the ACC portion of their schedule. That means there is a slight chance the Ohio State Buckeyes see him in a College Football Playoff game.
That would certainly be a sight to see, and one that Ohio State fans would love.
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