Louisville’s offense needed a jolt against SMU, and Keyjuan Brown delivered it in a big way.
While Isaac Brown entered the season carrying the spotlight, the Cardinals found their spark elsewhere on Saturday. Isaac has been limited to eight carries for 37 yards against SMU, but Keyjuan Brown took over as Louisville’s most dangerous runner in Week 3.
The sophomore entered the year with momentum after a strong 2025 season, when he averaged 7.3 yards per carry and piled up 704 yards. He closed that year on a tear, topping 94 rushing yards in each of his final five games and finishing with lines of 136, 135, and 112 in his last three.
That form showed up again against SMU. Keyjuan had 10 carries for 163 yards and two touchdowns, turning a tight game into a showcase for his explosiveness.
Louisville trailed 17-14 at halftime, then made a clear adjustment by leaning into the run game and getting Keyjuan more involved. He answered immediately in the third quarter, ripping off a 58-yard score on the first carry of the half while somehow staying in bounds.
Later, with Louisville down 31-28 in the fourth quarter, he struck again. This time it was a 53-yard touchdown after he found a crease and burst through it.
Through three games in 2026, Keyjuan has 28 carries for 231 rushing yards, and Sunday’s performance marked the fourth 100-yard game of his career. The 163 yards also set a new personal best.
With Isaac Brown struggling early and Keyjuan stepping into the spotlight, Louisville suddenly has another back capable of taking over a game when it matters most.
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The gap has been shaped by SMUs ability to answer when the game tightens up, with Kendrick Raphael giving the Mustangs a steady ground presence and helping them edge ahead before the break. Louisville has been good enough to stay in striking distance, but the margin for error in a ranked matchup is already looking thin, and the Cardinals will need a sharper second-half finish if they want to keep this one from slipping away. [Read more 🡒]
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Lincoln Kienholz Just Delivered Louisville's Biggest Moment Against SMU
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Kienholz was efficient in the first half and also added a rushing score, giving Louisville the kind of dual-threat presence that can change a game in a hurry. The play that stood out most came when he turned a broken protection into a big gain downfield, a snapshot of the improvisation and calm that have made him such an important piece for the Cardinals already. [Read more 🡒]