The Navy Midshipmen (11-2) took on the Cincinnati Bearcats (7-6) on Friday evening in the AutoZone Liberty Bowl from Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee. Navy took a 14-7 lead at halftime. They would go on to score 21 points, while Cincinnati scored six points in the second half. The Midshipmen went on to defeat the Bearcats 35-13.
Navy’s offense had 349 yards (108 yards passing, 241 yards rushing), 22 first downs, and the team was penalized two times for 10 yards. Quarterback Blake Horvath completed 9 of 15 passes (60%) for 108 yards, two touchdowns, 16 carries for 53 yards, and one rushing touchdown.
Running back Alex Tecza had 16 carries for 80 yards, one rushing touchdown, and one catch for two yards, while Eli Heidenreich had 10 carries for 62 yards, five catches for 64 yards, and one touchdown. Tight end Luke Hutchison made one catch for 30 yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Nathan Kirkwood made five extra points. The defense made 47 tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack, one interception, and one touchdown.
Cincinnati’s offense had 239 yards (97 yards passing, 142 yards rushing), 12 first downs, and the team was penalized nine times for 76 yards. Quarterback Brady Lichtenberg completed 10 of 15 passes (66%) for 78 yards, one touchdown, one interception, and two carries for -1 yard.
Running back Manny Covey had 11 carries for 78 yards and five catches for 28 yards, while Samaj Jones had five carries for 57 yards and one rushing touchdown. Wide receiver Patrick Gurd made one catch for 23 yards, while Cyrus Allen made two catches for nine yards and one touchdown.
Kicker Stephen Rusnak made one extra point. The defense made 61 tackles, one tackle for loss, one fumble recovery, and one pass breakup.
