ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Navy junior quarterback Blake Horvath has been named the NAAA Athlete of the Week, presented by Northrop Grumman, following his standout performance in the Midshipmen’s thrilling 21-20 victory over Oklahoma in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl.
The win capped a remarkable season for Navy, which finished with a 10-3 record, secured the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, and achieved its first 10-win campaign since 2019. This marks just the sixth time in school history that Navy has recorded 10 or more wins in a season.
Horvath’s Stellar Performance
Against the Sooners’ nationally ranked run defense, Horvath was unstoppable on the ground, rushing for 155 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries, averaging an impressive 8.6 yards per attempt. The junior quarterback also contributed through the air, throwing for 92 yards as Navy erased a 14-point first-quarter deficit.
Horvath’s game-changing moment came late in the third quarter when he broke free for a 95-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 14-14. The run not only swung momentum in Navy’s favor but also made history, becoming the longest rush in school history. The previous record of 93 yards was set by John Sai in 1963 against Duke.
In the fourth quarter, Horvath capped off his performance with a six-yard touchdown run, putting the Midshipmen ahead 21-14 with 4:34 remaining.
Defensive Stand Seals the Victory
Navy’s defense, led by standout defensive end Justin Reed, held strong in the final moments of the game. The Sooners managed to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter but failed to convert the two-point attempt, preserving Navy’s one-point lead and sealing the victory.
A Historic Win
The bowl win marked several milestones for the Midshipmen. It was Navy’s first victory over a Southeastern Conference (SEC) opponent since defeating Vanderbilt in 2004 and their first bowl win over an SEC team since a 21-0 triumph over Ole Miss in the 1955 Sugar Bowl. Additionally, the victory ended a streak of 24 consecutive losses for Navy when trailing by 14 or more points at any point in a game.
Horvath’s performance and Navy’s resilience epitomized the team’s successful season, capped by a historic bowl victory and a 10-win campaign.
