The Cincinnati Bearcats and Navy Midshipmen will officially end their 2025 college football season as they are slated to play the Liberty Bowl at the Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium in Memphis.
If the Navy Midshipmen emerge victorious over the Bearcats, they will match their program record for most wins in a single CFB season as they enter this bowl encounter with an overall record of 10–2.
The Cincinnati-based side enters this clash with an overall record of 7–5 this season. With the all-time series between the two programs split at 3–3, this bowl game promises to be a mouthwatering fixture.
WAKE UP! IT’S GAME DAY! pic.twitter.com/T9UKL7M8cQ
— AutoZone Liberty Bowl (@AZOLibertyBowl) January 2, 2026
However, one of the major storylines heading into the matchup centers around Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby and his availability for the game. Let’s take a look at the quarterback’s participation status for the Liberty Bowl.
Is Brendan Sorsby Playing In The Bowl Game Today?
No, Brendan Sorsby will not be playing in the Liberty Bowl against Navy on Jan. 2. Sorsby is among several Cincinnati players who have opted out of the bowl game, having announced on Dec. 15 that he would be entering the transfer portal.
Sorsby, throughout the 2025 season, threw for 2,800 yards with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Who Will Be Cincinnati Bearcats’ Starting QB For Liberty Bowl Today?
With Brendan Sorsby unavailable, Cincinnati will turn to Brady Lichtenberg as the starting quarterback for the Liberty Bowl. Samaj Jones is also expected to get some playtime during the game.
List Of Cincinnati Bearcats Players Not Playing The Liberty Bowl Game
- QB Brendan Sorsby: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- S Christian Harrison: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- S Trevon Gola-Callard: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- S Jiquan Sanks: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- CB Logan Wilson: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- DE Mikah Coleman: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- CB Ormaine Arnold: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- S Tayden Barnes: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- CB Kye Stokes: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- S Willie Goodwyn: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- DT Kamari Burns: Opting out, entered transfer portal
- RT Ethan Green: Opting out, entered transfer portal
While injuries have not yet afflicted the Bearcats heading into the Liberty Bowl, the Cincinnati-based program has a total of 12 players slated to enter the January transfer portal. Out of all the players who have opted out of this encounter, Brendan Sorsby’s next destination is still unclear, with teams like the Miami Hurricanes, LSU, and Texas Tech showing interest in signing the young quarterback.
Also Read:
- Liberty Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Navy vs. Cincinnati
- Holiday Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Arizona vs. SMU
- Duke’s Mayo Bowl Opt-Outs And Injury Report: Top Players Not Participating In Wake Forest vs. Mississippi State
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