Three Defensive Players For Cincinnati To Watch Against Arizona

We take a look at three defensive players to watch for Cincinnati against Arizona on Saturday.

Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats quarterback Noah Fifita (1) throws a pass before he gets tackled Kansas Jayhawks defensive end Leroy Harris III (33) during the fourth quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

Arizona reached bowl eligibility this past weekend with a 24-20 win over Kansas at Arizona Stadium. The Wildcats now sit at 6-3 on the season with three games left in the regular season. The final stretch begins with a road game against Cincinnati on Saturday.

Nov 8, 2025; Tucson, Arizona, USA; Arizona Wildcats head coach Brent Brennan takes off his headset as they secure the win against the Kansas Jayhawks at the end of the fourth quarter of the game at Arizona Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images | Aryanna Frank-Imagn Images

The Bearcats are 7-2 on the season and coming off their final bye week. In its last game, Cincinnati fell 45-14 on the road against Utah to end a seven-game winning streak.

As a defense, they rank bottom-five in total defense in the Big 12 (381.1 YPG), bottom-four in passing yards allowed per game (225.7 YPG), bottom-five in rushing defense (155.4 YPG) and yet No. 7 in points allowed (21.9 PPG). They have displayed true bend, but not break, as a defensive unit this season.

Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Utah Utes wide receiver Creed Whittemore (80) runs against Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Ormanie Arnold (8) and linebacker Montay Weedon (44) during the second half at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Here are three players to watch on the defensive side of the ball for Cincinnati this weekend.

DB Logan Wilson

As a defense, Cincinnati ranks bottom-five in the Big 12 in sacks (16) and dead last in interceptions with only two. The one area they have succeeded in as a unit this season is forced fumbles and fumbles recovered, where they rank top-three in both categories as a unit in the conference.

Cincinnati Bearcats cornerback Logan Wilson (7) jumps on a loose ball in the second quarter of a NCAA men’s football game between the Cincinnati Bearcats and Baylor Bears, Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, at Nippert Stadium in Cincinnati. | Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Defensive back Logan Wilson is tied for the team lead with two fumbles forced, to go along with a team-high two fumbles recovered. The senior has also totaled 27 tackles and six pass deflections, which rank second on the team.

Wilson has forced a fumble in each of his past two games against Utah and Baylor.

S Christian Harrison

One of the leaders in the Bearcats' secondary, Christian Harrison, has posted a team-high seven pass deflections on the season. He has also recorded one of just two interceptions on the season for Cincinnati's defense, which he recorded in its last game against Utah.

Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats safety Christian Harrison (5) tackles Utah Utes wide receiver Mana Carvalho (28) on a punt return during the first quarter at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images | Rob Gray-Imagn Images

Harrison has also totaled 45 tackles on the season with a pair of double-digit tackle performances, one of which also came against the Utes two weeks ago.

The leader in both total tackles (79) and sacks (3.5) on the season for Cincinnati, Jake Golday has been all over the field for the Bearcats.

The senior has also added two pass deflections and one forced fumble on the season. Golday recorded 12 tackles in the last game for Cincinnati against Utah for his fourth game on the season with at least 12 tackles.

Oct 11, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats linebacker Jake Golday (11) attempts to tackle UCF Knights quarterback Cam Fancher (14) in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images | Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

His best individual performance of the season came against Iowa State with 12 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in a 38-30 win for Cincinnati.

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