When Navy soccer places collectively its finest seasons, they usually have an extremely gifted participant at quarterback — operating and throwing the ball at orchestrating the Mids’ triple-option assault at a excessive, environment friendly and entertaining degree.
Let’s take a fast spin by way of some latest historical past in Annapolis:
In 2015, Keenan Reynolds completed fifth in Heisman Trophy voting and was the Offensive Participant of the 12 months within the American Athletic Convention after main the Midshipmen to an 11-2 report whereas dashing for 1,373 yards and an FBS-best 24 touchdowns, whereas additionally throwing for 1,203 yards and eight scores. Reynolds nonetheless holds the FBS report for profession dashing touchdowns with 88.
The subsequent season, with Reynolds gone and presumed starter Tago Smith injured within the season-opener, former third-stringer Will Value received his probability to shine, dashing for an FBS-best 25 touchdowns and 1,198 yards whereas additionally throwing for 1,397 yards and eight touchdowns. Value powered the Mids to wins over No. 6 Houston and Notre Dame, and a berth within the AAC title recreation. In that contest, he and beginning slotback Toneo Gulley had been injured on the identical play.
2019 was Malcolm Perry’s time to shine. After experimenting with the 5-foot-10 sparkplug as a receiver, rusher and returner, Navy lastly simply gave him the keys to Ken Niumatalolo’s triple-option assault. Navy went 11-2, snapped a three-game shedding streak to Military, beat No. 21 SMU, and topped Kansas State within the Liberty Bowl as Perry scampered for an FBS-best 2,017 yards and 21 touchdowns, whereas additionally throwing for greater than 1,000 yards and 7 scores.
The previous few years have been powerful for Navy. Within the 4 post-Perry seasons, the Mids went a mixed 16-30. Navy has misplaced three of its final 4 to Military and 4 straight to Air Pressure. Niumatalolo was fired and former defensive coordinator Brian Newberry took the reins final season.
And now, issues are trying up for the Mids. After successful 41-18 on the street at UAB on Saturday, they’re 4-0, their finest begin to a season since 2017.
A giant cause why is as a result of Navy appears to have one other one in all These Dudes at quarterback. A participant who, in case you squint only a bit, sort of seems to be like Reynolds, Value or Perry.
His identify is Blake Horvath, and on Saturday in opposition to UAB he threw for 225 yards and two touchdowns on 9-of-11 passing whereas additionally dashing for 84 yards on 13 carries.
It’s time to begin speaking about 4-0 Navy#AmericanWay x @NavyFB pic.twitter.com/pUxrBupcvt
— The American (@American_Conf) September 28, 2024
Every week in the past, the 6-foot-2 junior from Ohio majoring in operations analysis led the Mids to a 56-44 dwelling win over a Memphis crew that was coming off a victory over Florida State by finishing 9-of-12 passes for 192 yards and two touchdowns, whereas additionally dashing for – watch for it – 211 yards and FOUR touchdowns.
#CFB’s Quickest Gamers of Week 4️⃣:
8. @NavyFB’s Blake Horvath
QB, 90-yard TD Run 🤯 20.8 MPH 💨@HorvathBlake #GoNavy #RollGoats pic.twitter.com/QQtG2YgLvm
— Reel Analytics (@RAanalytics) September 24, 2024
Horvath is at present averaging 112.5 yards dashing and 159.2 yards passing per recreation. He’s answerable for 15 touchdowns already this season, and he’s commanding a Navy offense that isn’t slowly and methodically grinding groups into mud with the triple-option – the Midshipmen are merely inviting groups to attain extra factors than them. Thus far, nobody has succeeded. Navy is outscoring opponents by a mean rating of 46-18.
Now, it’s simple to argue that Navy hasn’t performed the hardest of schedules thus far. Bucknell, Temple and UAB aren’t precisely competing for the School Soccer Playoff, however you’ll be able to solely beat the groups in your schedule.
Subsequent up for the Mids is a gathering with rival Air Pressure in Colorado Springs. Then they host Charlotte, after which they face Notre Dame. Navy may very well be able to beat the Irish for the primary time since 2016.
It’s unclear what precisely the longer term holds for Navy this season, however no matter it’s, Horvath shall be a vital a part of it.
