Navy Dominates Army in 125th Rivalry Game, 31-13

Landover, MD — In a historic 125th meeting between the Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Knights, Navy claimed a decisive 31-13 victory at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland. Behind a record-tying performance from quarterback Blake Horvath and a stout defensive effort anchored by nose guard Landon Robinson, the Midshipmen controlled the game from start to finish, sending their seniors out with a win and claiming bragging rights for the next year.

Brian Newberry

“Just couldn’t be more proud and happy for our players and our seniors,” said Navy head coach Brian Newberry. “They talked about leaving a legacy this year, and they’ve certainly done that. We talked about playing fast and free and without fear of failure, and I thought we did that in a convincing way over a really good football team.”

Navy opened the game with an early statement, driving 65 yards over 12 plays to take an early 7-0 lead. Quarterback Blake Horvath capped the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run on a QB sneak. Horvath accounted for 22 rushing yards on the drive, while Alex Tecza added key gains to keep the chains moving.

After forcing Army into a quick three-and-out, Navy’s defense continued to take control, with dominating performances from Colin Ramos and Landon Robinson limiting Army’s run game to just 17 yards in the first quarter. Navy’s defense swarmed Army quarterback Bryson Daly, who struggled to find openings against Navy’s front seven.

The second quarter saw Navy capitalize on a crucial turnover. With Army driving near midfield, defensive back Dashaun Peele intercepted Daly’s pass, setting the Midshipmen up at the Army 44-yard line. On the ensuing possession, Horvath wasted no time, connecting with Brandon Chatman on an 18-yard touchdown pass that extended Navy’s lead to 14-0.

Army responded with its best drive of the first half, marching 65 yards on eight plays. Daly connected with Hayden Reed on a 23-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 14-7. Navy’s defense held firm for the remainder of the quarter, highlighted by a critical stop from Robinson and Justin Reed on a third-and-short run to force a punt late in the half.

Army opened the second half with momentum, driving deep into Navy territory before settling for a 39-yard field goal by Trey Gronotte to make the score 14-10. The Black Knights seemed poised to challenge Navy’s lead, but the Midshipmen had other plans.

Eli Heidenreich

On just the third play of Navy’s next drive, Horvath delivered a perfectly thrown 52-yard bomb to Eli Heidenreich, who outran the defense for a touchdown. The score not only put Navy up 21-10 but also tied Heidenreich for Navy’s single-season record for touchdown receptions (6). 

Navy’s defense continued to impose its will, forcing a turnover on downs on Army’s next possession. Ramos and Kyle Jacob delivered crucial tackles to stop Army’s runners short of the sticks.

The fourth quarter began with another Gronotte field goal for Army, narrowing the score to 21-13. But Navy responded with a clock-chewing 75-yard drive, highlighted by a pivotal fake punt called by Landon Robinson. Facing fourth-and-five from their own 47-yard line, Robinson took the snap and rumbled 29 yards to the Army 24, energizing the Navy sideline.

“I just called it on the field, and here we are,” Robinson said. “It was something we worked on all season, and they gave us the right look.”

Landon Robinson

“Landon Robinson is one of the most trustworthy guys on the football team.  He called it (the fake punt) and we ran it. It's the second time he's done it this year," shared Newberry. "Man, it's good seeing that big boy, 280 pounds, run fast as he does, and getting it done. That probably sealed the game for us.”

Horvath capitalized on the momentum, breaking free on a 19-yard run and eventually plunging into the end zone from 1 yard out for his second rushing touchdown of the day. The score extended Navy’s lead to 28-13 with just under nine minutes remaining.

Navy added a 27-yard field goal by Nathan Kirkwood late in the game, following an interception by linebacker Luke Pirris, who read Daly’s pass perfectly to secure Navy’s third pick of the day.

Horvath was unstoppable throughout the game, rushing for 204 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries

Blake Horvath

while completing 4 of 9 passes for 107 yards and two scores. His 13th passing touchdown of the season tied a Navy single-season record.

Navy’s defense held Army to just 178 total yards, including a mere 113 on the ground. The Black Knights averaged only 2.9 yards per carry against a swarming Navy front led by Robinson, Justin Reed, and Ramos. Navy forced three interceptions and held Army to 5 of 14 on third-down conversions.

Colin Ramous

“I know everybody’s talking about the offense, but I thought defensively we played lights out today,” Newberry said. “That’s a really good football team from one of the best O-lines in the country, and Bryson Daly is an outstanding football player. I thought we controlled the game on defense.”

For Navy’s seniors, this victory in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. As Horvath said after the game, “I think it was February 27 when we walked into our winter workouts, and the CIC trophy is literally plastered on every locker, every wall, everywhere, around the room and it’s been since February that we’ve put this game in our head.”

With the victory, Navy improved to 9-3 and now turns its attention to the Armed Forces Bowl, where they’ll face Oklahoma on December 27. Army (11-2), will look to regroup for their Independence Bowl matchup against Louisiana Tech on December 28.

Navy Outlasts East Carolina in Resilient 34-20 Win

Greenville, NC — In front of a raucous crowd at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium, Navy's freshman quarterback Braxton Woodson stepped into the spotlight and delivered a composed performance, leading the Midshipmen to a 34-20 victory over East Carolina. Woodson accounted for three touchdowns—two on the ground and one through the air—as Navy (8-3, 6-2 AAC) bounced back after a sluggish first half.

"First half didn't go great," said Navy head coach Brian Newberry. "We played lights out on defense, but we struggled a little bit to get anything going offensively. Couldn't be more proud of the way our guys rallied around our young quarterback, and couldn't be more proud of the way he played today. That was critical for him."

The first half was a defensive slugfest, with neither team able to find the end zone. Navy’s defense was relentless, stifling East Carolina’s rushing attack and keeping quarterback Katin Houser under constant pressure. Defensive lineman Landon Robinson notched a sack early in the first quarter, setting the tone for a Navy defense that would record four tackles for loss on the day.

East Carolina managed the only points of the half with a 35-yard field goal by Andrew Conrad midway through the second quarter. Navy’s offense, meanwhile, struggled to move the ball effectively, managing just 88 total yards and missing a 21-yard field goal attempt just before halftime.

"We knew coming in that stopping the run would be key," Newberry said. "Outside of the first two drives, we did a really good job of stopping the runner. We feel like if we could do that, keep things in front of us, then we'd have success on defense today."

The Midshipmen came out of the locker room with renewed energy. On their opening drive of the second half, Navy marched 76 yards on 14 plays, capped by a 16-yard touchdown run from Brandon Chatman. The nearly eight-minute drive showcased Navy's trademark efficiency and physicality.

After forcing a punt, Navy struck again late in the third quarter. Running back Eli Heidenreich broke free for a 36-yard touchdown run, extending Navy's lead to 14-3 heading into the final period.

East Carolina cut the deficit to 14-6 early in the fourth quarter with a 48-yard field goal, but Woodson and the Navy offense responded immediately. On the ensuing drive, Woodson connected with Nathan Kent on a 61-yard touchdown pass.

East Carolina’s offense came alive briefly, with Houser finding Winston Wright Jr. for a 9-yard touchdown to pull within 21-13. But Woodson silenced the home crowd with an electrifying 38-yard touchdown run on Navy's next possession, pushing the lead to 27-13. A late interception by linebacker Kyle Jacob set up Woodson's second rushing touchdown, a 10-yard score that sealed the victory.

East Carolina added a late 52-yard touchdown pass from Houser to Yannick Smith, but it was too little, too late.

Navy’s defense was exceptional on third downs, holding East Carolina to just 4 of 15 conversions. The Midshipmen also forced a turnover on downs at their own 3-yard line in the first quarter, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Rayuan Lane led the team with nine tackles, while MarcAnthony Parker added a sack.

The win showcased Navy’s motivation and their ability to rally behind Woodson. As Newberry summed up, "Super proud of the way Braxton played and composed himself, and the way our guys rallied around him."

With the win, Navy improves to 8-3 overall and 6-2 in the American Athletic Conference, keeping their hopes alive for a strong bowl game invitation. They’ll look to carry this momentum into their regular-season finale against Army on December 14.

For East Carolina (7-5, 5-3 AAC), the loss ends their regular season on a sour note, but they remain bowl-eligible and will await their postseason fate.

Tulane Dominates Navy on Senior Day, 35-0

Annapolis, MD — In front of 38,914 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Tulane spoiled Senior Day and the 300th Navy football game played at the historic venue, delivering a dominant 35-0 shutout victory. The Green Wave (9-2, 7-0 AAC) overwhelmed the Midshipmen (7-3, 5-2 AAC) with a balanced offensive attack and a smothering defense that kept Navy out of the end zone for the entire game.

“Well, we got our butts kicked,” said Navy head coach Brian Newberry. “Hats off to Tulane. I knew that was a really good football team coming into this game, and they were every bit of that today. Thought they had a really good plan on both sides of the football. They outplayed us, they out physicaled us, things we knew we had to do we didn't get done. Really, really disappointed.”

After a quiet opening series from both teams, Tulane broke through late in the first quarter. Quarterback Darian Mensah capped a five-play, 63-yard drive with a 14-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Green Wave up 7-0 with 1:07 left in the first quarter. Navy’s offense struggled to find rhythm early, managing just 61 total yards in the opening quarter.

Tulane’s physicality continued to wear down Navy’s defense in the second quarter. Midway through the period, running back Makhi Hughes powered into the end zone from 14 yards out, finishing an 11-play, 65-yard drive that extended Tulane’s lead to 14-0. Meanwhile, Navy’s offense remained stagnant, hindered by penalties and an inability to sustain drives. By halftime, the Midshipmen had managed just 29 yards of total offense.

The Green Wave asserted their dominance in the third quarter, controlling the ball for over 12 minutes. Mensah’s efficiency and Hughes’ bruising runs kept the chains moving, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown run by Hughes that capped a methodical 13-play, 65-yard drive. The score pushed Tulane’s lead to 21-0 and left Navy searching for answers on both sides of the ball.

Tulane continued to pour it on in the final quarter. Mensah connected with tight end Alex Bauman on a 1-yard touchdown pass early in the quarter, and later found Arnold Barnes III for another short touchdown following a Navy fumble deep in their own territory. The Green Wave’s defense preserved the shutout, holding Navy to just 113 yards of total offense and forcing a key turnover in the fourth quarter.

Darian Mensah was a dual-threat for Tulane, passing for 138 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 57 yards and another score. Makhi Hughes led all rushers with 82 yards on 22 carries, including two touchdowns. Tulane’s Defense stifled Navy all day, allowing just 100 rushing yards and holding the Midshipmen to 1-of-11 on third down. Kyle Jacob led the Midshipmen’s defense with 10 tackles, while Colin Ramos recorded the team’s only sack of the day.

Navy’s triple-option attack, typically efficient that controlled the time of possession, was completely neutralized by Tulane’s disciplined front seven. The Midshipmen averaged just 2.9 yards per carry and failed to complete a pass longer than five yards.

On defense, Navy couldn’t slow Tulane’s balanced offense, surrendering 358 total yards while allowing the Green Wave to convert 6-of-13 third downs and both of their fourth-down attempts.

The game marked the 300th Navy football game played at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. However, Tulane’s dominant performance dampened the celebratory atmosphere on what was also Senior Day for Navy’s graduating players.

Navy vs. Tulane AAC Battle

The Navy Midshipmen (7-2, 5-1 AAC) host the No. 25 Tulane Green Wave (8-2, 6-0 AAC) this Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, in a matchup with conference title implications. Tulane, riding a seven-game win streak, looks to secure its spot in the American Athletic Conference Championship, while Navy, with a Senior Day crowd behind them, aims to keep their championship hopes alive. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN2.

This game features two contrasting yet potent offenses and disciplined defenses. Navy, powered by its triple-option attack, averages 259.1 rushing yards per game, ranking fifth nationally. Junior quarterback Blake Horvath has been the key of this success, rushing for 870 yards and 13 touchdowns while also adding 1,154 passing yards and 11 touchdown passes. His dual-threat capabilities make him one of the most dynamic players in the AAC​​.

On the other side, Tulane showcases a balanced offense that ranks in the top 25 nationally in scoring (41.0 points per game) and rushing (227.8 yards per game). Running back Makhi Hughes has been a force on the ground, rushing for 1,209 yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Quarterback Darian Mensah has also been efficient, throwing for 2,142 yards and 16 touchdowns with only four interceptions​.

To counter Tulane’s versatile attack, Navy will rely heavily on its defense, which has excelled in red-zone situations, ranking sixth nationally. Safety Rayuan Lane III, the team’s leader in forced turnovers, and cornerback DaShaun Peele, who has four interceptions this season, will be critical in controlling Mensah’s passing game​​.

Offensively, Navy’s ability to execute big plays could be pivotal. The Midshipmen rank fourth nationally with 16 plays of 40+ yards this season. Horvath’s mobility, paired with contributions from running back Alex Tecza, who has scored 12 touchdowns this year, could create problems for Tulane if the Green Wave’s defense falters​.

The Green Wave’s path to victory lies in their ability to establish the run early and control time of possession. Hughes, who has rushed for over 100 yards in seven games this season, leads an offense that has scored 28 rushing touchdowns, ranking 10th nationally​.

Defensively, Tulane has been opportunistic, leading the nation in non-offensive touchdowns with eight. Defensive Tackle Patrick Jenkins, a disruptive force up front, will be tasked with containing Horvath and Navy’s backfield​​.

The stakes in Saturday's contest could not be higher. A win for Tulane secures their spot in the AAC Championship, while a Navy victory keeps their championship aspirations alive and introduces potential tiebreak scenarios. Navy’s undefeated home record this season and their Senior Day energy will add to the intensity.

With both teams bringing momentum and talent into the contest, fans can expect a hard-fought game with championship implications hanging in the balance.

Navy’s Dominant Ground Game and Opportunistic Defense Propel Mids Past USF, 28-7

Tampa, FL — On a sunny afternoon at Raymond James Stadium, the Navy Midshipmen got back to their winning ways, overcoming two consecutive losses with a solid 28-7 victory over South Florida. Navy’s ground game amassed 321 rushing yards, while the defense forced multiple critical stops, shutting out USF for three quarters and allowing only a late game touchdown.

The Midshipmen scored on four drives and relied on their dominating defense to keep USF's offense from putting points on the board. 

Navy wasted no time in setting the tone. Just minutes into the game, running back Eli Heidenreich broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown run, putting Navy up 7-0. Navy’s defense then capitalized on an interception by Kyle Jacob, giving the Midshipmen excellent field position.

Navy turned the turnover into points with an efficient, 13-play, 79-yard drive capped off by Brandon Chatman’s 20-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to 14-0.

The second quarter saw a defensive battle, with Navy forcing multiple punts while controlling the clock. Just before halftime, Navy's sophomore cornerback, Ira Oniha intercepted a Bryce Archie pass and returned the ball 36 yards to the Navy 47 yard line. 

The Navy offense struck quickly with a quick two-play drive, highlighted by a 38-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Blake Horvath to Alex Tecza, sending Navy into the half with a commanding 21-0 lead.

The third quarter was a defensive showcase for Navy. South Florida struggled to find any rhythm, gaining just 14 yards on the ground in the quarter. Navy’s defensive front, led by Landon Robinson and Luke Pirris, shut down the USF offense.

Navy continued to dominate possession in the fourth quarter. Horvath capped an impressive 13-play, 87-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown run, increasing Navy’s lead to 28-0 and put the game out of reach.

USF managed to avoid the shutout with a late score as Archie connected with Michael Brown-Stephens for a 13-yard touchdown. 

Heidenreich sparked Navy’s offense finishing the day with 84 yards on six carries, averaging an impressive 14 yards per carry and one touchdown.  Horvath completed 6 of 11 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown while adding 56 rushing yards on 19 carries, including his 10-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Landon Robinson and MarcAnthony Parker anchored Navy’s defensive front, combining for three sacks and consistent pressure throughout the game, limiting USF to just 60 rushing yards on 25 attempts.

With the win, Navy improves to 7-2 overall and 5-1 in the American Athletic Conference, maintaining their third-place standing and positioning themselves as contenders for the AAC Championship Game. 

Navy hosts conference rival Tulane, next Saturday and Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium at Noon.