Cincinnati Arrives in Memphis, Gears Up for Liberty Bowl Clash with No. 22 Navy
The Cincinnati Bearcats have touched down in Memphis, and the countdown to the 67th annual AutoZone Liberty Bowl is officially on.
The team arrived Tuesday afternoon around 2:00 p.m. local time, shifting from weeks of practice back home to game-week mode in Tennessee. With bowl festivities beginning shortly after arrival-including a welcome party and a trip to the Memphis Grizzlies game at FedExForum-it’s clear the Bearcats are getting the full bowl experience. But make no mistake: the focus is on Friday.
Head coach Scott Satterfield met with local media shortly after the team checked in at the hotel, and his message was clear-this is more than just a postseason trip. It's one last ride with the 2025 Bearcats, and the opportunity isn't lost on him.
“We’re very excited to be here in Memphis,” Satterfield said. “We’ve been looking forward to this for what feels like a month, practicing back home and getting geared up for this awesome occasion. This bowl game has a rich tradition and I can’t wait for Friday to get here.”
Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT on Friday, with national coverage on ESPN.
The opponent? A battle-tested No.
22 Navy squad that enters with 10 wins and one of the most unique offensive identities in college football.
“They’re a good football team,” Satterfield said. “They had a great season this year, winning 10 games.
They run a prolific offense, one of the best in the country. Their quarterback makes it go, he’s a 1,000-yard rusher who can throw the football as well.
They’re a disciplined team that plays hard.”
That “prolific offense” Satterfield mentioned? It’s Navy’s trademark triple-option attack-a scheme that’s as old-school as it is effective, and a nightmare to prepare for on short notice. It’s not just about stopping plays; it’s about staying disciplined down to the inch.
“It’s very difficult,” Satterfield admitted. “I spent some time at previous jobs where we played some option teams in our conference.
You have to spend a lot of time on it. It’s assignment football.
You have to be in your gaps, you have to have great eye control. You have to tackle well.”
That’s the chess match Cincinnati’s defense is walking into. The triple option demands patience, discipline, and relentless attention to detail. One wrong read, and Navy’s quarterback-who’s already racked up 1,000 rushing yards this season-can break off a game-changing run or hit you over the top with a surprise pass.
The matchup also adds another chapter to a tight all-time series. Cincinnati and Navy are knotted at 3-3 historically, but the Bearcats have owned the recent stretch, winning the last three meetings when both teams were still in the American Athletic Conference.
Now, with a national spotlight and a chance to end the season on a high note, Cincinnati is looking to make it four straight over the Midshipmen-and send off the 2025 squad with a statement win.
The stage is set. The city is buzzing. And come Friday afternoon, we’ll see if the Bearcats are ready to handle Navy’s old-school chaos and close out the year with a bowl victory.