Heidenreich’s Record-Breaking Day Lifts Navy Past Air Force

Eli Heidenreich etched his name into Navy football history on Saturday, while Blake Horvath delivered a career performance to lead the Midshipmen to a dramatic 34-31 win over rival Air Force before 37,517 fans - the 10th-largest crowd in Navy–Marine Corps Memorial Stadium history.

Heidenreich tied and then broke the program’s single-season touchdown receptions record with a pair of spectacular long scoring plays, finishing with eight catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Horvath was equally dominating, passing for 339 yards and three scores while rushing for 130 yards and another touchdown, accounting for 469 yards of total offense.

“I thought Blake (Horvath) was tremendous today,” Navy head coach Brian Newberry said. “Eli Heidenreich played out of his mind. He's a special player. He had a bunch of records today. I thought we offensively did some really, really good things today outside of the penalties and outside of the one turnover. Proud of our guys. Great to get a win. Again, hats off to Air Force. Couldn't have more respect for those guys.”

Eli Heidenreich

The Midshipmen struck quickly on their opening possession. On the very first play, Horvath found Heidenreich streaking down the middle for a 36-yard gain, setting the tone for the afternoon. Navy moved inside the 25 but stalled, settling for a 39-yard field goal by Nathan Kirkwood for an early 3–0 lead.

Air Force responded immediately with a 75-yard
drive capped by Liam Szarka’s 7-yard touchdown run. The drive’s opening play - a 61-yard keeper by Szarka - was the longest run surrendered by Navy this season and marked the third time this year the defense allowed points on the opponent’s opening drive.

Navy’s next drive ended in disaster when Horvath fumbled on a 14-yard scramble, giving the Falcons a short field. But Jacob Medina missed a 35-yard field goal, allowing Navy to dodge further damage.

Trailing 10-3 midway through the second quarter, Horvath engineered two quick-strike scoring drives. First, after a 43-yard kick return by Isaiah Bryant set up Navy near midfield, Horvath connected with Nathan Kent for 36 yards and then hit Heidenreich on a 19-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 10.

Blake Horvath

Minutes later, after Air Force punted, Horvath found Heidenreich over the middle, and the senior sprinted 80 yards to the end zone. That score gave Navy a 17-10 lead with 4:02 left in the half and tied Heidenreich with the school record of 13 touchdown receptions.

Defensively, Landon Robinson and Julien Moutome combined for a sack late in the half to stop a Falcon drive and preserve the lead heading into the locker room.

Air Force came out of halftime and marched 70 yards on nine plays. Szarka scored his second rushing touchdown from a yard out to tie the game at 17. The sophomore quarterback was a dual-threat all day, finishing with 152 rushing yards and 249 passing yards with two touchdowns through the air.

Navy answered with its most methodical drive of the day. Starting from their own 3-yard line, Horvath led an eight-play, 97-yard drive, capped by his 59-yard touchdown run. Kirkwood’s extra point made it 24–17.

The Falcons weren’t done. Szarka completed a 37-yard pass to Bruin Fleischmann to set up an 18-yard touchdown strike on the opening play of the fourth quarter to tie the game at 24-24.

On the ensuing drive, Horvath and Heidenreich delivered again. Facing 2nd-and-long from their own 29, Horvath dropped back and connected with Heidenreich who raced 60 yards for his record-breaking 14th touchdown reception, giving Navy a 31-24 lead with 12:55 remaining.

Air Force answered two minutes later when Szarka found Jonah Dawson for a 53-yard touchdown, knotting the score at 31-31.

With the game on the line, Navy’s offense drove 60 yards in nine plays. Kirkwood’s 34-yard field goal with 6:47 left proved to be the difference.

From there, Navy’s defense delivered the crucial stop. Robinson’s penetration on first down set the tone, and Navy forced a fumble at the Falcon 49 with 3:07 left. The Midshipmen drained the remaining clock to seal their fifth win of the season.

Robinson finished with 1.5 sacks, while Luke Pirris led the defense with 12 tackles. Navy’s front line held Air Force scoreless on its final two drives after the teams traded scores on five consecutive possessions.

In addition to the action on the field, the Brigade of Midshipmen set a new Guinness World Record during the game, with 3,068 people doing pushups simultaneously for one minute, breaking the Air Force Academy’s previous mark of 2,926 set in 2023.

With the victory, Navy improved to 5–0 and retained control of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy race. The Midshipmen will travel to Philadelphia next week to face Temple. Air Force (1–4) travels to Las Vegas to battle UNLV.

Navy and Air Force Ready to Battle

Navy and Air Force continue one of college football’s traditional rivalries on Saturday when they meet at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis in the first leg of the 2025 Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series. The sold-out matchup will air nationally on CBS.

 

The Midshipmen (4-0, 3-0 AAC) enter riding a seven-game winning streak dating back to last season — tied for the fourth-longest active streak in the FBS. Navy’s powerful rushing game leads the nation at 352.3 yards per game, led by senior quarterback Blake Horvath, who set program records last year and has guided Navy to four straight games of 450+ yards of offense. Horvath rushed for 115 yards and two touchdowns in Navy’s 34-7 win at Air Force last season.

 

Air Force (1-3, 0-3 Mountain West) has dropped three straight but still leads the all-time series 34-23, including a 17-6 victory in its last visit to Annapolis in 2023. The Falcons are honoring the F-16 Fighting Falcon with special Air Power Legacy Series uniforms for this year’s game.

 

The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, awarded annually to the winner of the round-robin series between Army, Navy and Air Force, has often hinged on this matchup. In 40 of the 53 years the trophy has been awarded, the winner of the Navy-Air Force game has gone on to claim it. Navy, the defending CIC champion, has won the trophy 12 times in the last 22 years.

 

Head coach Brian Newberry has the Midshipmen off to their best start since 1978-79. A victory Saturday would make him 20-10 in his first 30 games, the best start by a Navy coach since Wayne Hardin. Meanwhile, Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun looks to rally his team behind a high-powered offense that ranks seventh nationally in rushing (254.3 ypg) and first in yards per completion (21.6).

 

Saturday’s pre-game festivities will add some extra excitement. The Brigade of Midshipmen will attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the most people doing pushups simultaneously for one minute. The current record belongs to Air Force, which set the mark in 2023 when 2,926 participants performed pushups to cadence. The Naval Academy is aiming to top that with a target of 3,300 participants on Saturday, adding a spirited twist to the rivalry before kickoff.

 

The day will also include the traditional March-On of the Brigade of Midshipmen and a flyover featuring F/A-18F Super Hornets, an EA-18G Growler and an F-35B Lightning.

 

Kickoff is set for 12:08 p.m. ET.

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.