TUCSON, AZ – The Cincinnati Bearcats are on their first football trip to Tucson as they attempt to remain undefeated and gain their first-ever win in the Mountain Time Zone under Scott Satterfield.

After holding off Kansas State scrambling quarterback Avery Johnson in Week 4, Week 5 brings the elusive 5-foot-10 Noah Fifita, who gave the Bearcats fits last season, leading Arizona to a 30-24 win at Nippert Stadium in their initial Big 12 game.

Though the Bearcats sacked Fifita four times, he went 23-of-31 for 294 yards and a touchdown, throwing no interceptions. On UC's side, Brendan Sorsby was picked off twice, including his first play from scrimmage.

The loss knocked UC from the Top 25 and was the second of five straight losses (including the FedEx Liberty Bowl loss to Navy).

Defensive lineman Marquaze Parker models the Cincinnati Bearcats all-white uniforms they'll wear at Arizona Oct. 3.

Satterfield's teams have lost at BYU, Colorado and Utah when playing two time zones away and they still have a Nov. 28 date at BYU this season. The last Bearcats team to win traveling two time zones or more was Luke Fickell's second UC squad that won at UCLA 26-17 on Sept. 1, 2018, in the debut of quarterback Desmond Ridder.

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Cincinnati Bearcats arrived early for Mountain time game vs. Arizona

08:10 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

Bypassing the standard routine of leaving after practice on Friday, the Bearcats practiced Thursday, Oct. 1 on campus, then boarded the plane for Tucson. They had a practice in Arizona Friday, Oct. 2, where former UC quarterback Nick Davila, an Arizona resident, appeared.

"We anticipated playing late; that's what they do to us," Satterfield said. "Our guys have done a great job of approaching this week and giving us a chance to play great."

Cincinnati Bearcats recent national honors

08:09 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

At 4-0, the Bearcats received 20 votes in the Associated Press poll and 35 in the AFCA Coaches poll. BYU, Texas Tech, Utah and Houston are all Top 25 teams ahead on UC's schedule. Arizona has eight votes in AP and three in the coaches poll.

Pro Football Network ranks UC right tackle Judea Milon at No. 2 at his position with a 95.7 rating, running back Cole Tabb at No. 3 and two others, receiver JV Gibson (No. 23) and nose tackle Josh Hough (No. 11), in the top 25 at their positions.

In national offensive line rankings, PFN has UC at No. 16, oddly behind Kansas State even though the Bearcats outrushed K-State's Wildcats 271-155. The UC vs. Arizona game features the No. 7 rushing offense of the Bearcats against Arizona's No. 13 rushing defense (out of 138 Division I teams).

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona weather

08:08 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

The Weather Channel projects temperatures around 82 degrees by kickoff, with the low dropping to 75 degrees. Winds will be out of the east at 11 miles per hour.

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What time does Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona Wildcats start?

08:07 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

  • Date: Saturday, Oct. 3
  • Time: 8 p.m. (Mountain Standard Time, 11 p.m. Eastern)
  • Where: Casino Del Sol Stadium (50,800)

What TV Channel is Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona on?

08:06 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

  • TV: Fox Sports
  • Streaming: https://www.foxsports.com/live
  • How to watch online:(here's how to stream it live)

Cincinnati Bearcats uniforms vs. Arizona Wildcats

08:05 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

The Bearcats will go all-white (helmets, jerseys, pants).

Road threads 🔥#GoBearcats | @jeffwylerautopic.twitter.com/gIUhdZ7iu5

— Cincinnati Football (@GoBearcatsFB) October 1, 2026

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona score predictions

08:04 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

  • Scott Springer, Cincinnati Enquirer: Arizona 28-24
  • Arizona Republic: Arizona 33-30
  • Heartland College Sports: Arizona 38-27
  • USA Today: Arizona 31-27

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona odds

08:03 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

Odds from FanDuel Sports Network

  • Spread: Arizona -6.5
  • Moneyline: Kansas State -245, UC +198
  • Over/under: 55.5

Cincinnati Bearcats vs. Arizona injury updates

08:02 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

On the game-day list, Bearcats offensive lineman Aiden Pastoriza and tight end DaMari Witherspoon remain out. Everyone else has been cleared to play.

Arizona will play without safety Dajon Hinton, tight end Cole Rusk, and defensive lineman Ezra Funa. Listed as probable are linebackers Myron Robinson and Jabari Mann.

Cincinnati Bearcats 2026 football schedule

08:01 PM ET, October 3 2026, Scott Springer

  • Boston College – W 34-15
  • Western Carolina, Sept. 12 – W 62-10
  • Miami RedHawks (at TQL Stadium), Sept. 19 – W 35-31
  • Kansas State, Sept. 26 – W 31-26
  • At Arizona, Oct. 3
  • At West Virginia, Oct. 17
  • Texas Tech, Oct. 24
  • Utah, Oct. 31
  • At Houston, Nov. 7
  • At Iowa State, Nov. 14
  • Colorado, Nov. 21
  • At BYU, Nov. 28

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: UC Bearcats vs. Arizona Wildcats live updates, Big 12 score, highlights

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Source: Yahoo Sports