Louisville is getting a much-needed lift in the secondary just in time for Friday night.
As the Cardinals try to stop a two-game slide and dig out of an early 1-2 conference start, Pete Nakos reported that Koen Entringer is available and will return after missing the last two games. Louisville faces Florida State at L&N Stadium in Week 6, and the timing could not be better for a defense that has been leaking big plays.
Louisville QB Lincoln Kienholz and DB Koen Entringer will play Friday night against Florida State, sources tell @On3.
Entringer's absence in the secondary has been notable in recent weeks. Kienholz was a game-time decision against NC State. https://t.co/21scTRZ68j pic.twitter.com/gjOHDLLJLq
- Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos) October 8, 2026
The Cardinals have badly missed Entringer over the past two weeks. He sat out against Wake Forest, when Gio Lopez went 12-of-19 for 225 yards and a touchdown, and he was also out last week against NC State, when CJ Bailey put up a career night. Bailey finished 24-of-40 for 373 passing yards and two passing touchdowns as Louisville’s secondary struggled to contain him.
Entringer’s return gives Jeff Brohm a player who has already been productive this season. The Iowa transfer has 18 total tackles, including 10 solo, along with one pass deflection. Before arriving at Louisville, he posted a career year with the Hawkeyes, finishing with 73 tackles, four pass deflections and one forced fumble.
He came in as one of Louisville’s biggest defensive additions, and the last couple of games showed exactly why his presence matters. The Cardinals need cleaner play on the back end, and getting Entringer back should help.
The challenge comes fast. Florida State is coming off a 38-7 win over Virginia, a game in which Ashton Daniels ran for five touchdowns and 136 yards while also throwing for 183 yards. Louisville will have to be sharper defensively if it wants to slow that offense down.
Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. local time, and Louisville enters the game as a 3.5-point favorite.
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