TJ Chapman
Editor
When offensive coordinator Drew Cronic took control of Navy’s offense in 2024, he made a few tweaks to the triple-option attack Navy was known for. Head coach Brian Newberry was looking for a more productive offensive plan.
So, Cronic installed what he called a “millennial version” of the Wing-T, meshing the triple-option with the spread-option. The Midshipmen led the FBS in rushing yards per game at 298.4, which is 28.6 yards per game higher than No. 2 Utah.
The offense will still be focused on the quarterback, and Cronic has a master running his offense, Blake Horvath. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound senior has excelled as the focal point of Cronic’s offense.
Horvath has thrown for 1,390 yards with 9 TDs and 4 INTs. He also leads the Midshipmen in rushing with 1,040 yards and 14 TDs. Horvath did this even after missing the Notre Dame game on Nov. 8 due to an injury.
The Hilliard, OH, native has been dangerous as a runner, but also as a passer when needed. In a win against Air Force in the first leg of the Commander-in-Chief Trophy, he torched the Falcons’ defense. Horvath went 20-26 for 339 yards and 3 TDs through the air. He also rushed for 130 yards and 1 TD.
Horvath shares most plays in the backfield with RB Alex Tecza, the team’s second leading rusher, with 772 yards and 9 TDs. Tecza has been an effective weapon out of the backfield in the passing game as well as he sits third on the team with 12 receptions and fourth with 123 receiving yards.
When it comes to career rushing yards in Navy history, Tecza is knocking on the door of the Top-10. The 6-foot, 199-pounder is just 184 yards away from 10th place and 205 away from 9th. Tecza and SB Eli Heidenreich grew up together in Pittsburgh, PA. In 34 career games played together, at least one of the best friends has scored a TD in 26 of those games. The pair has both scored in eight games.
Speaking of Heidenreich, the senior slotback leads the team with 40 receptions, 805 receiving yards and 4 TDs. Heidenreich’s 40 catches represent 44.4 percent of the completed passes for the Navy offense. One thing is crystal clear: if Navy is throwing the ball, chances are Heidenreich is catching it.
Heidenreich is also a fixture in the run game. His 409 rushing yards are 4th on the team and his 3 TDs are tied for 4th. On a national level, Heidenreich’s 20.1 yards per catch average ranks No. 7 in the FBS.
Navy has accepted a bid to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Cincinnati of the Big 12 Conference on January 2nd. While the Liberty Bowl is still a few weeks away, the prize for every Mid is Saturday’s Army-Navy game. There is a tremendous amount of pride in beating Army. The 126th Edition of the Army-Navy game will be the final one for Horvath, Tecza and Heidenreich.
When interviewing each other for CBS Sports, Tecza asked Heidenreich what it would mean to go out with a win. “Obviously, in our program, it’s the biggest game every year and means the most to us,” Heidenreich said. “Your coaches don’t need to tell you how much this game means. You just go out and play like your life’s on the line.”
Knowing he won’t have to face the three-headed monster after this weekend should please Army head coach Jeff Monken. However, it will disappoint many Navy fans, especially the ones who are yinzers.
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TJ Chapman
Editor
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Chris Kuehnhold
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