Navy vs. Cincinnati: Time, Date, TV Channel, 2025 Liberty Bowl Preview
It's one of our final games, folks!
It’s bowl season, which means we have a lot of football to watch between Dec. 13 and Jan. 19! Ohio State, Utah, Georgia Southern, Army, Texas A&M — and just about everyone in between — will take part in a total of 47 games that will ultimately conclude with the 2026 CFP National Championship.
NESN has you covered with previews for each and every game — with our next contest featuring two hard-nosed clubs:
2026 AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Matchup: Navy Midshipmen vs. Cincinnati Bearcats
Date: Friday, Jan. 2, 2026
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Stadium: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium — Memphis, Tenn.
TV: ESPN
Game Overview
The Liberty Bowl has been around longer than you might think, having been played every season since 1959 — stretching across stints in Philadelphia, Penn., Atlantic City, N.J. and Memphis, Tenn.
Doug Flutie (1983), Bo Jackson (1984) and Dak Prescott (2013) are just a few of the notable names who have taken home the game’s MVP.
The Midshipmen and Bearcats will look to add someone to that list on Friday.
Team Overviews
Navy Midshipmen
Conference: American
Head Coach: Brian Newberry
Record: 10–2
Navy is still that same team we all know and love.
The Midshipmen averaged 289.3 rushing yards per game in 2025, and topped 30 points in victories over Virginia Military Institute, UAB, Tulsa, Air Force, Temple, FAU and South Florida.
Brian Newberry’s squad is looking for its third 11-win season since 2000 — with the first two ending in victories at the 2019 Liberty Bowl and 2015 Military Bowl.
Cincinnati Bearcats
Conference: Big 12
Head Coach: Scott Satterfield
Record: 7-5
Cincinnati is on a down swing, losing the last four games of its season to No. 24 Utah, Arizona, No. 11 BYU and TCU.
The Bearcats have seen several players opt out, with starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby defensive backs Christian Harrison, Trevon Gola-Callard, Jiquan Sanks and Logan Wilson, and defensive lineman Mikah Coleman all expected to miss the game.
Scott Satterfield can only hope to keep his team competitive.
Players to Watch
Navy
QB Blake Horvath
QB Braxton Woodson
RB Eli Heidenreich
RB Alex Tecza
DL Landon Robinson
LB MarcAnthony Parker
LB Luke Pirris
DB Phillip Hamilton
Cincinnati
Is there anything left?
Key Notes
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath will be playing in his final game, and has a career record of 20-4.
Cincinnati head coach Scott Satterfield said two quarterbacks will play: fourth-year senior Brady Lichtenberg and freshman Samaj Jones.
Betting Lines
DraftKings Sportsbook: Navy -7.5 | O/U 54.5
FanDuel Sportsbook: Navy -8.5 | O/U 53.5
BetMGM Sportsbook: Navy -7.5 | O/U 54.5
The Pick: Navy 7.5
