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.

Turnovers Costly as Notre Dame Rolls Past Navy, 51-14

East Rutherford, NJ — At MetLife Stadium on Saturday, the Navy Midshipmen’s hopes for a marquee win were crushed by a series of costly turnovers, as the Notre Dame Fighting Irish capitalized on six Navy miscues en route to a dominant 51-14 victory. Despite Navy’s strong start to the season, their seven fumbles—five of which were lost—and one interception proved too much to overcome against a talented Notre Dame squad that executed on both sides of the ball.

“Obviously, really disappointed with the outcome,” said Navy head coach Brian Newberry. “We were really excited about this one, and our kids believed that we could win. You know, I did too. Having said that, I knew that we were gonna have to play extremely well. We were gonna have to be at our best in all three phases, and we obviously were not today.”

Notre Dame (7-1) wasted no time taking control. On their opening drive, quarterback Riley Leonard engineered a 75-yard march downfield, capped by his own 1-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Irish up 7-0 just four and a half minutes into the game.

Navy’s first offensive possession started with promise but ended in disaster when Alex Tecza lost a fumble at the Navy 35-yard line. Notre Dame quickly capitalized, with Leonard finding wide receiver Kris Mitchell for a 6-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.

Navy finally found some rhythm early in the second quarter. Quarterback Blake Horvath broke free on a 47-yard touchdown run, cutting Notre Dame’s lead to 14-7. But the momentum was short-lived. On the ensuing drive, Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love broke loose for a 64-yard touchdown run, re-establishing a two-score lead at 21-7.

Later in the quarter, Navy’s offensive woes continued. After a promising drive, Nathan Kirkwood missed a 40-yard field goal attempt. Notre Dame took advantage of the miscue, with Love punching in his second touchdown of the game from two yards out. A late field goal from Zac Yoakam extended the Fighting Irish lead to 31-7 at halftime.

The Midshipmen opened the second half with a determined drive. Eli Heidenreich capped a 12-play, 75-yard series with a 1-yard rushing touchdown, trimming Notre Dame’s lead to 31-14. But Navy’s hopes of a comeback faded soon after. Notre Dame responded with another touchdown drive, as Leonard connected with Beaux Collins on a 37-yard touchdown pass, making it 38-14.

The game took a decisive turn on Navy’s next drive when Horvath fumbled at his own goal line, and Notre Dame’s Jaylen Sneed recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown. The score jumped to 44-14, and Notre Dame’s defense seemed unstoppable.

“I think we went five games without turning the football over, and turned it over six times today. It put us in a bad position on defense, quite a bit,” Newberry shared after the game.

With a comfortable lead, Notre Dame controlled the tempo in the final quarter. After Navy’s last turnover—a Luke Hutchison interception—the Irish went on another scoring drive, capped by Kedren Young’s 4-yard rushing touchdown to seal the final score at 51-14.

The Midshipmen’s offensive, which had been effective all season, struggled against Notre Dame’s dominating defense. The Irish held Navy to just 88 passing yards and forced six turnovers. Navy’s costly turnovers repeatedly set up Notre Dame in prime scoring position, which the Irish capitalized on efficiently.

Despite the loss, Coach Newberry remained proud of his team’s season-long effort, though he acknowledged the lessons to be learned from Saturday’s defeat. “Hats off to Notre Dame. It’s a really, really good football team, and they were a better football team today in every way,” Newberry said. “But I love this football team. I love these players. I'm still really proud of them. We talked about it's only a failure if you don't learn from it and grow from it.”

Next week Notre Dame has a bye week while Navy travels to Rice.