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Conference Championship or Commander in Chief For Navy?

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Courtesy Of The Navy Athletic Communications

Annapolis, MD—For the first time this season, the Midshipmen took the field as a ranked team, and they certainly played like one. In front of their largest home crowd of the season, 35,094 strong, Navy dominated visiting Charlotte, scoring the first 38 points of the game. They capitalized on four turnovers, resulting in 24 points in the first quarter and another 14 in the second.

Fullback Alex Tecza was a standout, notching three touchdowns in the first quarter—two on the ground and one on a 46-yard reception from quarterback Blake Horvath. Additionally, defensive back Dashaun Peele made history with two interception returns for touchdowns, setting a Midshipman record, while his 145 yards in returns also established a school record for a single game. Navy cruised to a 51-17 victory over Charlotte.

“It’s a team that is focused on the work and the process,” Navy coach Brian Newberry said. ”I thought we were going to be a bowl team, but it was not based on the talent of our football team, it was based on the character and the intangibles and the work that we put it in.”

Now, all eyes are on next week’s pivotal matchup against Notre Dame in the Meadowlands at noon. Ranked 25th in the nation, Navy’s impressive performance is sure to boost their ranking.

Courtesy Of The Navy Athletic Communications

“It was very frustrating,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi said. “It was a very important game for us and a game we thought we could win. To start that way was the last thing everyone thought we would start that way. We worked all week on protecting the football and we came out the gate with multiple turnovers. Disappointing but we go back to work.”

As the Midshipmen prepare for Notre Dame, critical questions loom: Will they play for the conference title or the Commander in Chief Trophy? With a potential clash against Army on the horizon, both teams could meet twice in consecutive weekends. The NCAA should consider making their scheduled game on December 14th in Landover, MD a winner-takes-all showdown.

UP NEXT:

Charlotte: At Memphis on Saturday.

Navy: Faces No. 12 Notre Dame on Saturday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey