Navy Midshipmen Defeat Cincinnati Bearcats 35-13
Friday, January 2, 2026, 4:30 PM ET · Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium
Navy Midshipmen 35, Cincinnati Bearcats 13, final. Our NCAAF picks are sealed as a hash before kickoff and settled in public, losses included.
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Quick answers
Who won Navy Midshipmen vs Cincinnati Bearcats?
Navy Midshipmen beat Cincinnati Bearcats 35-13 at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium on January 2, 2026.
Who was favored in Navy Midshipmen vs Cincinnati Bearcats?
Navy Midshipmen were the favorite at DraftKings, moneyline -305 (about 75% implied). The favorite won.
In a decisive matchup at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium, the Navy Midshipmen emerged victorious against the Cincinnati Bearcats, finishing the game with a score of 35-13. This result highlights the contrasting fortunes of the two teams, with Navy continuing their strong season while Cincinnati struggles to find form.
Navy entered the game with an impressive away record of 11-2, and they have been in good form recently, winning their last three games. Over their last ten outings, Navy has recorded a record of 8-2, averaging 28.4 points scored while allowing 28.1 points against. Their recent victories include a narrow win against the Army Black Knights, where they triumphed 17-16, and a solid performance against the Memphis Tigers, winning 28-17.
On the other hand, the Cincinnati Bearcats have faced significant challenges, particularly in their recent games. They have lost their last four matches, bringing their overall record to 7-6. In their last ten games, Cincinnati has a record of 6-4, but their last five games have been particularly troubling, with an average of only 23.2 points scored and 33.2 points allowed. Their last outing resulted in a heavy defeat to the TCU Horned Frogs, where they lost 23-45.
When considering home and away performances, Cincinnati has a home record of 4-2, while Navy boasts a strong away record of 3-2. This game marked a critical moment for Cincinnati, who needed to turn their fortunes around but ultimately fell short.
In terms of previous meetings, this fixture has often seen competitive play, but this latest result emphasizes Navy's current superiority. The Midshipmen's ability to capitalize on Cincinnati's defensive weaknesses was evident throughout the game.
Injury concerns were not detailed in the block, but both teams have had to navigate their respective challenges throughout the season. The absence of key players can often impact performance, but specifics were not provided.
The betting market, as provided by DraftKings, had Navy favored by 7.5 points, with a total set at 57.5. The odds reflected Navy's strong form and Cincinnati's struggles, indicating a clear expectation of Navy's dominance in this matchup.
Conditions during the game were not specified, but the atmosphere at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium was likely charged, given the stakes for both teams.
Viewers were able to observe Navy's effective offensive strategy and Cincinnati's defensive vulnerabilities. The Midshipmen's ability to score consistently while keeping the Bearcats at bay was a key factor in their victory. As the game unfolded, it became clear that Navy capitalized on their momentum, while Cincinnati continued to grapple with their recent poor form.
Odds
| Book | Spread | Total | Moneyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | NAVY -7.5 | 57.5 o -115 / u -105 | Navy Midshipmen -305 · Cincinnati Bearcats +245 |
Leaders
- Passing yardsBrady Lichtenberg10/15, 78 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INTCincinnati Bearcats
- Rushing yardsManny Covey11 CAR, 78 YDSCincinnati Bearcats
- Receiving yardsManny Covey5 REC, 28 YDSCincinnati Bearcats
- Passing yardsBlake Horvath9/15, 108 YDS, 2 TDNavy Midshipmen
- Rushing yardsAlex Tecza16 CAR, 80 YDS, 1 TDNavy Midshipmen
- Receiving yardsEli Heidenreich5 REC, 64 YDS, 1 TDNavy Midshipmen
Recent form
Cincinnati Bearcats
Last 10: 6-4Streak L433 scored · 25.8 allowed per game4-2 at home
- L23-45at TCU Horned FrogsNov 29
- L14-26vs BYU CougarsNov 23
- L24-30vs Arizona WildcatsNov 15
- L14-45at Utah UtesNov 2
- W41-20vs Baylor BearsOct 25
- W49-17at Oklahoma State CowboysOct 19
- W20-11vs UCF KnightsOct 11
- W38-30vs Iowa State CyclonesOct 4
- W37-34at Kansas JayhawksSep 27
- W70-0vs Northwestern State DemonsSep 13
Navy Midshipmen
Last 10: 8-2Streak W328.4 scored · 28.1 allowed per game3-2 away
- W17-16vs Army Black KnightsDec 13
- W28-17at Memphis TigersNov 28
- W41-38vs South Florida BullsNov 15
- L10-49at Notre Dame Fighting IrishNov 9
- L17-31at North Texas Mean GreenNov 1
- W42-32vs Florida Atlantic OwlsOct 25
- W32-31at Temple OwlsOct 11
- W34-31vs Air Force FalconsOct 4
- W21-13vs Rice OwlsSep 27
- W42-23at Tulsa Golden HurricaneSep 14
Standings
| Team | Overall | In conference |
|---|---|---|
| Memphis | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Army | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Charlotte | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| East Carolina | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Florida Atlantic | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Navy | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| North Texas | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Rice | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| South Florida | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Temple | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Tulane | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Tulsa | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| UAB | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| UTSA | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Arizona State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Arizona | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| BYU | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Baylor | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Cincinnati | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Colorado | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Houston | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Iowa State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kansas | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kansas State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Oklahoma State | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Texas Tech | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| UCF | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Utah | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| West Virginia | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| TCU | 0-1 | 0-0 |
Box score
| Stat | Navy Midshipmen | Cincinnati Bearcats |
|---|---|---|
| First downs | 22 | 12 |
| Third downs | 9-15 | 4-13 |
| Fourth downs | 1-1 | 2-3 |
| Total yards | 349 | 239 |
| Net passing yards | 108 | 97 |
| Completions | 9/15 | 12/20 |
| Yards per pass | 7.2 | 4.9 |
| Rushing yards | 241 | 142 |
| Rushing attempts | 51 | 38 |
| Yards per rush | 4.7 | 3.7 |
| Penalties | 2-10 | 9-76 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Fumbles lost | 1 | 1 |
| Interceptions thrown | 0 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 33:42 | 26:18 |
Win probability
Above the line favours Cincinnati Bearcats, below favours Navy Midshipmen.
Venue
- Simmons Bank Liberty StadiumMemphis, TN
- Attendance21908
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