Full Breakdown
Navy Midshipmen Defeat Tulsa Golden Hurricane 42-23 in Week 3 Showdown
9/14/2025, 1:17:03 PM
Game Overview: Navy vs. Tulsa
On September 13, 2025, the Navy Midshipmen faced off against the Tulsa Golden Hurricane at H.A. Chapman Stadium in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Navy emerged victorious with a score of 42-23, improving their record to 3-0 and 2-0 in the American Athletic Conference (AAC). The game was marked by Navy's strong second-half performance, overcoming an early 14-0 deficit.
Key Players and Performance
Navy's quarterback, Blake Horvath, played a pivotal role in the victory, rushing for 159 yards and a touchdown while also throwing for 94 yards and a score. His performance was complemented by running back Alex Tecza, who contributed 72 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Eli Heidenreich also made an impact with 72 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Midshipmen's rushing attack was formidable, accumulating a total of 369 rushing yards.
For Tulsa, backup quarterback Baylor Hayes started in place of Kirk Francis, who was sidelined due to a concussion. Hayes managed to throw for 168 yards and one touchdown but struggled with consistency, throwing an interception and being sacked multiple times. Running back Dominic Richardson opened the scoring for Tulsa with a 14-yard touchdown run.
Game Progression
The game began poorly for Navy, as they committed three turnovers in the first quarter, leading to a 14-0 deficit. However, Navy responded with a strong offensive showing, scoring 28 unanswered points. Horvath's two-yard touchdown run tied the game at 14 midway through the second quarter, and he later connected with Luke Hutchison for a touchdown just before halftime, giving Navy a 21-17 lead.
In the second half, Navy continued to dominate, scoring on multiple drives and limiting Tulsa's offensive opportunities. The Midshipmen's defense forced two turnovers and held Tulsa to 140 rushing yards, showcasing their ability to control the game.
Statistical Highlights
- Navy's Rushing Attack: Navy finished with 367 rushing yards on 63 carries, averaging 5.8 yards per carry.
- Turnovers: Navy overcame their early turnovers, forcing two turnovers from Tulsa and maintaining a +3 turnover margin for the season.
- Time of Possession: Navy controlled the ball for over 35 minutes, demonstrating their ability to sustain drives.
Official Statements & Responses
Navy's head coach Brian Newberry praised Horvath's decision-making and the team's resilience in overcoming early mistakes. He noted, "Our ability to respond after those turnovers was crucial to our success."
Criticism & Opposition
Despite the victory, Tulsa's performance drew criticism, particularly regarding their inability to capitalize on Navy's early mistakes. Coach Kevin Wilson acknowledged the need for improvement, stating, "We had opportunities to extend our lead, but we couldn't execute when it mattered."
What's Next
Navy will have a bye week before hosting Rice on September 27, 2025. Tulsa, now 1-2, will look to regroup and improve as they continue their season in the AAC.
