At a Glance
- Navy’s 35-13 win over Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl
- Blake Horvath throws two TD passes and rushes for a score
- Cincinnati misses key players like QB Brendan Sorsby and LB Jake Golday
- Why it matters: Navy extends a historic winning streak while Cincinnati faces roster gaps heading into next season
Navy rolled past Cincinnati 35-13 in the Liberty Bowl, with senior quarterback Blake Horvath leading the offense with two touchdown passes and a rushing score. The Midshipmen’s 11-game season ended with a 4-game winning streak, including a 17-16 victory over Army. Cincinnati struggled with the loss of several starters, including its starting quarterback and top tackler.
Navy’s Dominant Performance
Horvath finished 9 of 15 for 108 yards, adding a 2-yard run and two touchdown throws of 30 and 13 yards. Alex Tecza rushed for 80 yards and a touchdown, while Eli Heidenreich added 62 rushing yards and 5 receptions for 64 yards.
- Blake Horvath: 9/15, 108 yards, 2-yard run, 30- and 13-yard TD passes
- Alex Tecza: 80 rushing yards, 1 touchdown
- Eli Heidenreich: 62 rushing yards, 5 receptions for 64 yards
Brian Newberry stated:
> “Two seasons. The most wins in Navy football history within two years.”
Cincinnati’s Challenges
Cincinnati entered the game short-shanked, missing quarterback Brendan Sorsby, linebacker Jake Golday, and running backs Tawee Walker and Evan Pryor. The Bearcats finished with 239 yards of offense and 12 first downs, but struggled to find rhythm in the first half.
Scott Satterfield said:
> “You’d love to have all the guys that we had as a part of our team throughout the whole season.”
Weather and Rushing
A wet field and overcast conditions made both teams rely on rushing in the first half, but neither could gain much traction. Navy had 160 yards of offense by halftime compared to Cincinnati’s 118.
Brady Lichtenberg said:
> “It seemed like right when we ran on the field, the weather started getting a lot worse. The rain was coming down a lot harder. The ball felt a little heavier.”
Pick-6 Surprise
Coleman Cauley capped Navy’s scoring with a 5-yard interception return for a touchdown, the first pick-6 in a Navy bowl game.
Coleman Cauley said:
> “I just jumped the route. I wasn’t going down, I was getting to the end zone.”
| Player | Rushing Yards | Passing Yards | Receiving Yards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blake Horvath | 2 | 108 | 0 |
| Alex Tecza | 80 | 0 | 0 |
| Eli Heidenreich | 0 | 0 | 64 |
| Manny Covey | 78 | 0 | 0 |
| Cyrus Allen | 0 | 0 | 4 |
Key Takeaways
- Navy’s 35-13 win continues a 4-game winning streak and sets a record for most wins in two seasons.
- Cincinnati’s roster gaps, especially the loss of its starting quarterback and top tackler, hindered its offensive production.
- Horvath’s dual-threat performance and Navy’s rushing attack were decisive factors.
With the Midshipmen solidifying their place in Navy football history, the Bearcats will need to rebuild after losing key contributors.
