Navy Improves to 2-0 with Win Over Temple

ANNAPOLIS – Navy dominated AAC rival, Temple at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial stadium on Saturday in the AAC opener of the season for the Midshipmen.  The Mids were dominant on both sides of the football coming away with a 38-11 victory in front of a crowd of 28,889.

The Navy defense took control of the game early by shutting down Temple’s offense in their first four offensive series.  The Mids forced 3-and-out punts on the first two series and then pressured the Owls into a safety and interception.

 

On a third down and 12 with Temple on their own 7-yard line, Forrest Brock was forced out of the back of the end zone by Justin Reed giving Navy a safety and a 2-0 lead.

 

On Temple’s next drive, Navy Striker Jaxson Campbell picked off a Brock pass ending Temple’s first drive into Navy’s end of the field.

 

The defense’s domination carried over to the Navy offense. 

 

Following the Temple safety, Navy’s offense drove 58 yards and scored on a Blake Horvath two-yard run giving Navy a 9-0 lead.

 

After Campbell’s interception, Horvath broke away for a 62-yard run on Navy’s first play of the drive increasing Navy’s lead to 16-0.  The 62-yard carry was a career long for Horvath.

 

On Navy’s next drive, Alex Tecza ran for 65 yards on the first play on the ensuing drive giving Navy a 23-0 lead with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. Tecza finished the game with nine carries for 92 yards.

 

Navy head coach Brian Newberry was pleased with the team’s performance.

 

“I’m really proud of our guys and I think we did some really good things today.  Field position was critical, especially in the first half, and we dominated that aspect.  We were much more improved over last week’s performance.”

 

Navy continued their control over the Owls in the second half.  Horvath connected with Eli Heidenreich on a 31-yard touchdown pass.  Horvath scored his third rushing touchdown from 18-yards out late in the third quarter giving the Mids a 38-3 lead.

 

Heidenreich finished the game with 6 receptions for 98 yards.  Heidenreich now has three touchdown receptions this year, just three away from matching the school record.

 

Temple completed a 23-yard touchdown pass from Brock to Dante Wright with 10:00 remaining in the game.  The Owls converted a two-point conversion cutting Navy’s lead to 38-11.

 

Late in the fourth quarter, Navy striker Kenneth McShan picked off a Brock pass and Marcus Bleazard recovered a fumble ending Temple drives.  McShan’s interception was the first of his career.  Bleazard’s fumble recovery was his second in just five games.

 

Senior linebacker and team captain Colin Ramos led the defense with 15 tackles, a tackle for a loss, and a pass breakup.

 

Blake Horvath led the rushing attack with 15 carries for 128-yards and 3 touchdowns.  This was his first career 100-yard rushing game.

 

Horvath was pleased with the offense’s performance to start the season.

 

“Two games, two 400-yard performances.  I think it’s a great job, and it’s more a testament to our offensive line and the playmaking of our skill guys.”

 

Navy improves to 2-0 and is idle next week before hosting Memphis on September 21 at 3:30.

Temple falls to 0-2 and hosts Coastal Carolina next Saturday.