Navy Runs Past VMI 52–7 in Season Opener

Annapolis, Md. — Navy opened its 2025 season with a statement win, overwhelming VMI 52–7 on Saturday at Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Midshipmen rolled up 464 rushing yards, mixed in explosive plays from the quarterback position, and saw six new defensive starters hold the Keydets to just 15 rushing yards.

The Midshipmen wasted no time establishing control. On the opening possession, fullback Michael Barrow capped a 9-play, 67-yard march with a 7-yard touchdown run. The score was memorable not just for its timing, but because it came on Barrow’s very first career carry.

The Mids then triggered a 21-point second quarter. On the first drive of the quarter, Eli Heidenreich slipped behind the secondary for an 18-yard touchdown reception from Blake Horvath, the 11th receiving TD of Heidenreich’s career, moving him to third all-time at Navy. Alex Tecza bulled in from six yards later in the quarter, and Heidenreich added a four-yard sweep in the final minute to give Navy a 28–0 lead.

Navy's head coach, Brian Newberry’s only real misgiving arrived out of halftime. Navy’s opening third-quarter drive chewed 7:33 off the clock but stalled at the 11, where Nathan Kirkwood drilled a 28-yard field goal to make it 31–0. VMI answered nine seconds later with its lone highlight — Collin Shannon’s 75-yard strike to Owen Sweeney — before the Mids snapped back into gear.

“I thought we kind of took our foot off the gas a little bit there in the third quarter,” said Newberry. “And it can't be our mentality to start to stop the football that we play, regardless of the score, and was a little disappointed with that. We got it going back in the right direction.”

“Right direction” was an understatement once backup quarterback Braxton Woodson entered in relief. The sophomore flashed fresh legs and elite acceleration, ripping off touchdown runs of 74 and 68 yards — part of a dominating 180 rushing yards on seven carries — to bury any comeback notion. 

Shane Reynolds’ 4-yard score in the final minutes put the finishing touches on a seven-touchdown afternoon.

“Had the ability to get some guys in the game that we were hoping to be able to get in the game,” Newberry said. “And also, Braxton (Woodson) went there, did some good things. 180 yards rushing on seven carries shows his explosiveness.”

Even with the scoreboard lopsided, the defense kept its edge — especially up front. VMI finished with 212 total yards, and outside of the 75-yard touchdown, the Keydets mustered just 122 passing yards on their other 27 attempts. Navy owned the ball for 35:27, went 10-for-13 on third down, and scored on all six red-zone trips (five TDs, one field goal).

“We weren't perfect in our coverage, got a ball thrown over our heads, and obviously that can't happen,” Newberry said of the lone defensive lapse. “You still have to stop the run, but you've got to keep things in front of you.”

Navy (1–0) will host UAB next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in its American Conference opener. VMI returns home to host Ferrum College.

Scoring summary

1Q 06:00  NAVY  7–0  Michael Barrow 7 run (Nathan Kirkwood kick)

2Q 11:07  NAVY 14–0  Eli Heidenreich 18 pass from Blake Horvath (Kirkwood kick)

2Q 05:17  NAVY 21–0  Alex Tecza 6 run (Kirkwood kick)

2Q 00:48  NAVY 28–0  Eli Heidenreich 4 run (Kirkwood kick)

3Q 07:22  NAVY 31–0  Nathan Kirkwood 28 FG

3Q 07:13  VMI  31–7  Owen Sweeney 75 pass from Collin Shannon (Ben Shrewsbury kick)

3Q 00:50  NAVY 38–7  Braxton Woodson 74 run (Kirkwood kick)

4Q 09:39  NAVY 45–7  Braxton Woodson 68 run (Kirkwood kick)

4Q 02:37  NAVY 52–7  Shane Reynolds 4 run (Kirkwood kick)

By the numbers

• Rushing yards: Navy 464, VMI 15
• Total yards: Navy 556, VMI 212
• Third downs: Navy 10-for-13
• Sacks: Navy 5 (Landon Robinson 2.0)
• Kicking: Nathan Kirkwood 7-for-7 PAT, 1-for-1 FG (28 yards)
  
  

Game notes

• New faces: Navy started six new defenders and four new offensive players.
• First to paydirt: Michael Barrow’s 7-yard TD in the first quarter came on his first career carry.
• History for 22: Eli Heidenreich’s second-quarter TD catch was the 11th of his career, moving him to third all-time at Navy.
• Targeting: MarcAnthony Parker was ejected for targeting in the third quarter and will miss the first half next week vs. UAB.
• Big-play QB2: Braxton Woodson had touchdown rushes of 74 and 68 yards and finished with 180 yards on seven carries.

Crawford Inducted Into the Bedford County Sports Hall of Fame

Barry Crawford, a 1980 graduate of Northern Bedford County High School, has been a steady presence in the Northern Bedford sports community for over four decades. Known for his success as a player, coach, and volunteer, Barry’s dedication to local athletics has left a lasting impact on generations of student-athletes.

As a student at Northern Bedford, Barry was a three-sport athlete, competing in football, basketball, and baseball. He earned seven varsity letters between grades 10 and 12 and was named an All-Star in all three sports. On the basketball court, he made school history by becoming the first boys’ player to score over 1,000 career points, finishing with 1,023.

After high school, Barry went on to play basketball at Penn State Altoona. During his two years there, he averaged 21 and 20 points per game, scoring in double figures in 48 out of 49 games. He helped lead the team to the 1981 Commonwealth Campus Championship.

According to Coach Obermeier, “Barry was hard to defend. He had an extremely quick first step, so if opponents guarded him too closely, he would go around them. However, he was an unbelievably accurate shooter, so they couldn’t give him too much space. Barry was very unselfish and he played great defense. He was the best all-around player I coached at Penn State Altoona.”

In 2023, Barry was recognized for his achievements with induction into the Penn State Altoona Athletic Hall of Fame.

Barry’s contributions didn’t stop after his playing days. He returned to Northern Bedford and began coaching boys’ varsity basketball as an assistant in 1984 and became the head coach in 1998, a role he held until 2013. In 15 seasons, Barry led the team to 201 wins and helped establish a competitive program.

In football, Barry started as an assistant coach for the junior high team in 1985 and took over as head coach in 1993. Over 39 seasons, he remained a steady leader on the sidelines, helping players develop both their athletic skills and character.

His dedication extended to the track as well. Barry served as a District V track and field statistician for 15 years and regularly helped with running events at home meets. He also volunteered with youth softball and baseball programs.

From 2018 to 2025, Barry also served as an assistant coach for the Northern Bedford girls’ varsity basketball team, continuing to share his knowledge and love for the game.

Barry Crawford’s story is marked by his commitment to NBC and the joy he found in athletics. His impact goes far beyond wins and losses — he has helped shape the lives of countless athletes across multiple sports and generations.

Barry and his wife, Tess Crawford, have two daughters, Andrea Ritchey and Taylor Ridgeley and six grandchildren.

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.