Is Brendan Sorsby playing in bowl game? Cincinnati's QB plans for Liberty Bowl
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After beginning the 2025 season with a scorching 7-1 record and a No. 16 ranking in the US LBM Coaches Poll, Cincinnati football underwent a late-season collapse and lost each of its last four regular-season games.
The Bearcats now look to wrap up their 2025 season on a high note on Friday, Jan. 1 with a trip to the Liberty Bowl against Navy. A win against the Midshipmen would give Cincinnati its first season with at least eight wins since 2022 and its first bowl win since 2019.
It's a season benchmark that Scott Satterfield will have to look to achieve with his backup quarterback. Cincinnati will turn to Brady Lichtenberg, as starting quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not suit up or be in attendance in Memphis.
Here's what you need to know on Sorsby's status for the game:
Is Brendan Sorsby playing today in Liberty Bowl?
No, Sorsby is not playing in the Liberty Bowl against Navy on Jan. 2. He is one of several Bearcat players who have opted out of the bowl game.
Is Brendan Sorsby hurt?
No, Sorsby is not sitting out the Liberty Bowl due to injury.
Is Brendan Sorsby transferring?
Yes, Sorsby announced on Dec. 15 that he would opt out of the Liberty Bowl and enter his name into the transfer portal. It is the second time in his career that Sorsby is in the portal, as he transferred to Cincinnati from Indiana following the 2023 season.
The 6-foot-3 quarterback is listed as a five-star recruit and the No. 1-ranked quarterback in the transfer portal according to 247Sports' Composite Rankings (as of Jan. 1). According to the Miami Herald's Barry Jackson, Sorsby has received interest from Miami, LSU and Texas Tech going into Day 1 of the transfer portal window on Jan. 2.
"I want to start out by saying how grateful I am for the opportunities and blessings that God has given me. I am truly grateful for all this place has meant to me," Sorsby wrote in a post. "… After a lot of prayer and thoughts consideration, I have decided to enter the transfer portal."
Thank you 🫶🏼 pic.twitter.com/Wx6JI44zP7
— Brendan Sorsby (@Brendan_Sorsby2) December 15, 2025
Who is starting at quarterback for Cincinnati in Liberty Bowl?
The Bearcats will roll with backup quarterback Lichtenberg for the Liberty Bowl against Navy.
It will be his first start since 2023 against West Virginia. He has appeared in two games this season for the Bearcats — vs. Northwestern State on Sept. 13 and at Utah on Nov. 1 — where he has completed 4-of-6 passes for 56 yards and a touchdown.
"He's a pro," Cincinnati offensive coordinator Brad Glenn said of Lichtenberg on Jan. 1. "He has prepared himself being the No. 2 quarterback all year, preparing to be No. 1. He was one play away. Great football IQ, and again, the staff and the locker room trust him, which is always huge."
As noted by the Cincinnati Enquirer — part of the USA TODAY Network — quarterback Samaj Jones is expected to get some playing time in the Liberty Bowl against Navy.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Is Brendan Sorsby playing in Liberty Bowl today? What to know
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