The Navy Midshipmen secured a 34-31 victory over the Air Force Falcons on October 4, 2025, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland, improving their season record to 5-0. The win marked a significant milestone for Navy, led by quarterback Blake Horvath and wide receiver Eli Heidenreich, who set multiple program records during the game. Navy’s undefeated start places them in a strong position as the season progresses.
Horvath completed 20 of 26 passes for 339 yards and three touchdowns, consistently finding Heidenreich, who finished with eight receptions for 243 yards and three touchdowns. Heidenreich’s performance broke Navy records for receiving yards and receiving touchdowns in a single game. Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka also had a strong showing, throwing for 212 yards and two touchdowns, and rushing for 152 yards and two touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Navy’s offensive output.
The game was a back-and-forth affair, with multiple lead changes. Navy initially took a 3-0 lead with a 39-yard field goal from Nathan Kirkwood. Air Force responded with a touchdown run by Szarka. The second quarter saw both teams exchange touchdowns, with Heidenreich scoring twice for Navy on passes of 19 and 80 yards from Horvath. The score was tied 17-17 at halftime. Szarka added another rushing touchdown for Air Force in the third quarter, whereas Horvath answered with a 59-yard run of his own. The fourth quarter featured a touchdown pass from Szarka to Jonah Dawson, followed by Heidenreich’s record-setting third touchdown reception.
This victory comes as Navy prepares for its annual rivalry game against Army. The Army–Navy Game, branded as “America’s Game,” is a longstanding tradition in college football, representing the interservice rivalry between the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. The series dates back to 1890, with Navy currently leading 64–55–7 through the 2025 meeting. The Mids need to defeat Army in the season finale to win the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright, a triangular series that also includes the Air Force Falcons.
The win over Air Force, coupled with Navy’s 5-0 record, positions them favorably in the competition for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. The trophy is awarded annually to the service academy with the best record in head-to-head competition between Army, Navy, and Air Force. The outcome of the Army-Navy game will determine the trophy winner and conclude the regular season for all three academies.
Leave a Reply