Navy 41, South Florida 38 — A Statement Win That Changes Everything
The Navy Midshipmen delivered one of the most consequential victories of the 2025 college football season Saturday afternoon, stunning No. 24 South Florida, 41–38, in a game that will reshape the American Athletic Conference and potentially the College Football Playoff landscape.
With the win, Navy improves to 8–2 overall and 6–1 in the AAC, seizing full control of the conference standings. South Florida, once considered a clear contender for the AAC Championship Game, falls to 7–3 and 4–2 in conference play. Navy now has a direct path to a conference title game appearance, and with it, a long-shot—but very real—chance to make the 12-team CFP field. But this game was more than just stakes. It was a war. And Navy answered the call on every front.
The Fourth-Quarter Shootout
For three quarters, the game followed a familiar Navy blueprint: control the clock, run the ball, minimize mistakes. But the fourth quarter flipped the script, turning a tactical trench fight into an all-out track meet. The teams combined for 39 points in the final 15 minutes — a jaw-dropping reversal of the early defensive rhythm.
Navy scored 17 of those points, including two go-ahead touchdowns by backup quarterback Braxton Woodson. South Florida answered with 22, led by the relentless brilliance of Byrum Brown, whose arm and legs kept the Bulls alive until the final minute. It was chaos — but Navy stayed poised, stuck to its identity, and delivered when it mattered most.
The Big Plays That Lead To Victory
It started early. On Navy’s opening drive, running back Alex Tecza burst through the line and raced 76 yards untouched for a touchdown — the Midshipmen’s longest run of the season and a tone-setter for what would become a day of explosive gains. Tecza finished with 126 yards on the ground and added a 14-yard receiving touchdown in the second quarter.
In the first quarter's final seconds, Navy wide receiver Eli Heidenreich made a one-handed, 82-yard catch that electrified the stadium and set up a short touchdown to put Navy up 14–3. Heidenreich finished with 146 receiving yards and became Navy’s all-time leader in career receiving yards in the process — a stunning mark in a run-heavy system.
After starting quarterback Blake Horvath exited with injury, backup quarterback Braxton Woodson took over — and owned the moment. With Navy clinging to a 34–30 lead late in the fourth quarter, Woodson pulled the ball on an option read and broke free for a 64-yard touchdown that effectively sealed the win. Woodson finished with 103 rushing yards and two critical fourth-quarter touchdowns — both coming with the game on the line.
But South Florida didn’t go quietly. Byrum Brown’s 60-yard touchdown run on the next possession — followed by a 41-yard bomb with under two minutes left — cut the lead to 41–38 and forced Navy to recover an onside kick to hold on. They did. Game over.
Statistical Domination on the Ground
Navy’s offensive line and backfield produced a vintage performance, piling up 338 rushing yards on 53 carries and controlling the ball for over 36 minutes of game time. That time-of-possession edge allowed the Midshipmen to keep Brown and USF’s high-powered offense off the field for long stretches. In total, the teams combined for over 850 yards of offense, but Navy’s ground game was the anchor that never wavered.
Woodson’s efficiency as a runner and decision-maker allowed the offense to remain balanced, and his emergence gives Navy a real second option at quarterback if Horvath’s injury lingers. Tecza and Heidenreich were the stars, but Woodson was the finisher — and the reason Navy walked away with a win.
Brian Newberry’s Culture on Display
After the game, head coach Brian Newberry praised his team’s grit and resilience, calling the win “a testament to the character of these players.” He highlighted Woodson’s preparation and calm in the moment, saying, “He was special today. He prepares that way every week. He delivered when we needed him most.”
Newberry, who took over in 2023 after a long run as Navy’s defensive coordinator, has rebuilt the Midshipmen into a disciplined, physical, and opportunistic team — and Saturday’s win was the culmination of that effort. His culture was evident: from the big plays to the clock control, from the mental toughness to the readiness of the next man up, Navy looked like a championship-caliber football team.
Conference Championship Path — It’s All on the Line in Memphis
The stakes are now crystal clear. With one conference game remaining, Navy controls its own destiny in the AAC. The Midshipmen travel to Memphis on Thanksgiving night for a massive showdown with the Tigers. If Navy wins, they finish 7–1 in conference play and are guaranteed a spot in the AAC Championship Game on December 6. Lose, and the door opens for a chaotic cluster of one-loss teams to steal their place.
Memphis is physical, fast, and explosive — and they’ll be desperate. Navy must match their intensity and bring the same energy that toppled USF. The blueprint is simple: run the ball, own the clock, limit explosive plays. If they do that, they’re playing for a trophy in two weeks.
College Football Playoff Outlook — It’s Alive, Barely
Under the new 12-team CFP format, the highest-ranked Group of Five champion receives an automatic playoff bid. Navy now sits at 8–2 with a win over a ranked opponent and a clear path to the AAC title. If they win out — beating Memphis and then taking the conference championship — they’ll enter the committee conversation.
The challenge is the two-loss résumé. James Madison, currently 9–1 and leading the Sun Belt, will be hard to leap in the rankings. But Navy has strength of schedule on its side, a nationally televised rivalry game, and momentum. They’ll need JMU to drop a game — or for the committee to value Navy’s head-to-head wins and conference strength more. The path is narrow, but it’s open. And most importantly: Navy has something to play for down the stretch.
The Army-Navy Game Still Matters — Maybe More Than Ever
Even if the playoff door closes or Navy falls short in Memphis, the Army-Navy Game remains one of the most important dates in all of college football — and 2025 will be no exception. This year’s edition takes place in Baltimore on Saturday, December 13th. Navy has already defeated Air Force, so a win over Army would secure the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy outright.
It’s the 126th meeting in this historic rivalry, and it could cap off a 10-win season, a championship run, or even a final playoff push. But no matter what happens in Memphis or the AAC title game, Army-Navy will carry weight. It always does.
Final Word: Navy Is for Real
This wasn’t a fluke. This was a high-leverage, ranked win over a quality opponent — with stakes, pressure, and a backup quarterback leading the charge. Navy isn’t sneaking up on anybody anymore. They’re 8–2, the class of the AAC, and still in the hunt for everything.
They control their fate. They’re built to win close games. And after Saturday, there’s no doubt: they believe.
Next up: Memphis on Thanksgiving night. Everything is on the line.