Instant takeaways from UC Bearcats loss vs. Navy in Liberty Bowl

MEMPHIS, TN – For a second straight year, the Cincinnati Bearcats have ended a football campaign with five consecutive losses. Playing in their first bowl in over three years, the Bearcats fell short in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Navy 35-13.

In a constant downpour, Navy proved to be better in the water and the air. Though both teams had consecutive three-and-outs to start the game, Navy was able to add to its 14-7 lead with a 75-yard drive to start the second half. Blake Horvath hit Eli Heidenrich for a 13-yard score and UC would be swimming uphill the rest of the evening.

Navy outgained UC 349-239, outpassing them 108-97 as well as outrushing them 239-142. Tickets distributed at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium were announced at 21,908.

Navy quarterback Horvath was 9-for-15 for 108 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a score. Alex Tecza led all rushers with 80 yards and a touchdown. Horvath was named the game MVP.

Both UC quarterbacks played and were involved in scores. Brady Lichtenberg started and was 10-for-15 for 78 yards and a touchdown, but had a costly interception. Samaj Jones was 2-for-5 for 19 yards but ran for 57 yards and his first college rushing touchdown.

Navy linebacker Coleman Cauley was the outstanding defensive player. Manny Covey was named the outstanding UC offensive player and Antwan Peek Jr. outstanding defensive player. Covey and Peek were presented with individual trophies in the post-game press conference.

Covey ran for 78 yards and five catches for 28 yards.

UC ends up 7-5 after starting the season 7-1 after a home win over Baylor. In 2024, they started 5-2 and finished 5-7.

The Navy Midshipmen finish the season 11-2 after December wins against archrival Army and the Bearcats. Win or lose, Scott Satterfield’s contract called for a $75,000 bonus for making a bowl game.

Cincinnati Bearcats in market for defensive coordinator

Cincinnati sources confirmed the departure of Tyson Veidt after the game with Veidt heading to Penn State to join Matt Campbell's staff. The two previously worked together at Iowa State.

Takeaways from Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Navy Midshipmen in AutoZone Liberty Bowl

Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback rotation

Lichtenberg started the game, but Jones came in on the second series. Jones eventually led UC on their first scoring drive, taking them 75 yards in 17 plays in the second quarter. The drive culminated in his first career college rushing touchdown.

Jones would have the running score and Lichtenberg added a passing touchdown, but it was clearly a game where they missed Brendan Sorsby, who departed the team in December for greener pastures. The last pick-six, when Coleman Cauley grabbed a tipped Lichtenberg pass for a score, just put an exclamation point on the night.

Who ran ball for Cincinnati Bearcats?

In the first half, it was mainly Jones with 49 yards. Running backs Manny Covey and Zion Johnson combined for 41 carries on 12 lugs.

Conditions and situations changed in the second half and Covey got more carries, finishing with 78 yards in addition to a team-high five catches for 28 yards. Jones finished with a career-high 57 yards. Freshman Zion Johnson had 23 yards on eight carries.

Missing starters Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor was also an issue.

Slow day through air for UC, but Cyrus Allen gets record

When UC scored to tie the game in the second quarter, they had completed just one pass, a Samaj Jones screen for 18 yards. At the break he was just 2-for-4 for 19 yards and Lichtenberg had come in for the last drive going 2-for-4 for six yards. Cyrus Allen was the only receiver to catch a pass as three went to Manny Covey.

Late in the game, no tight ends had been targeted, including Joe Royer, and only Noah Jennings of the receiving corps had caught a pass.

With his fourth-quarter touchdown, UC's Allen tied a school record for touchdown receptions in a season. It was his 13th, tying Marcus "Bones" Barnett who set the mark in 2007.

In their final college games, tight end Patrick Gurd had more targets (3) than NFL prospect Joe Royer, who played but couldn't get the ball.

Both teams had turnovers

UC and Navy both fumbled twice in the pouring rain. UC also saw Marquavious Saboor disqualified on a targeting call that led to a Midshipmen score. In a game against a ranked team, all mistakes are magnified. UC was penalized nine times for 76 yards compared to Navy's two. A curious call came late in the first half, which resulted in UC not taking a timeout then being penalized on the second-half kickoff.

When Navy scored on that drive, the proverbial tide turned.

No rest for Cincinnati Bearcats staff

Scott Satterfield said UC would be flying home and then hosting 10 to12 transfer portal recruits on campus Jan. 3. Cincinnati Bearcats men's basketball will be squaring off with No. 8 Houston.

No Brendan Sorsby for UC, he was traveling

ESPN's Pete Thamel reported Sorsby was the top-rated quarterback in the portal Friday morning and had plans to fly to Texas Tech, then LSU. Early indicators had Sorsby pointed toward Texas Tech as his girlfriend, a former UC volleyball player, transferred to the Red Raiders shortly after Sorsby announced he was entering the portal in mid-December. Sorsby is also from Texas and Red Raiders departing quarterback Behren Morton had replied to his Instagram announcement, as did Texas Tech general manager James Blanchard.

Next game?

Schedules aren't official, but Boston College and Western Carolina are slated to visit Nippert Stadium next season in addition to a Miami RedHawks game at Paycor Stadium. Big 12 home dates will be against Utah, Colorado, Texas Tech and Kansas State with road games set for Arizona State, BYU, Houston, Iowa State and West Virginia.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: What we learned from UC Bearcats loss vs. Navy in Liberty Bowl