Forth Worth, Texas — Navy’s Blake Horvath set a school record with a 95-yard touchdown run and later clinched the game with a decisive 6-yard touch down late in the fourth quarter, leading the Midshipmen to a dramatic 21-20 victory over Oklahoma in the Armed Forces Bowl on Friday.
Trailing by two touchdowns early, Navy (10-3) mounted a resilient comeback, capped by a critical defensive stop on a 2-point conversion attempt in the game’s final moments. The Sooners (6-7) had pulled within one point with six seconds remaining on a 10-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins Jr. to Jake Roberts. However, Hawkins was sacked by Navy’s Justin Reed on the ensuing conversion attempt, preserving the Midshipmen’s win.
“It was a big moment, and I’m grateful I could make that play,” Reed said, emphasizing the collective effort of the defense. “We stayed composed and focused, even after that late touchdown.”
Resilient Midshipmen
The victory capped an impressive season for Navy, which recorded its sixth 10-win campaign in program history and its first since 2019. Coming off their recent triumph over Army to secure the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, Navy overcame early struggles to finish strong under second-year head coach Brian Newberry.
“It’s a fitting end to our season,” Newberry said. “Down 14-0, it symbolizes what these guys have been through—especially our seniors. It’s about perseverance, scratching, clawing, and never giving up.”
Horvath’s record-setting 95-yard touchdown run, a sprint through the heart of Oklahoma’s defense, tied the game at 14 late in the third quarter. He later delivered the go-ahead score on a 6-yard run, following a crucial fourth-and-3 conversion with a 16-yard pass to Eli Heidenrich.
“We knew that drive could decide the game,” Newberry said of the pivotal 12-play, 66-yard possession that lasted over seven minutes.
Horvath finished the game with 155 rushing yards on 18 carries and completed 7 of 12 passes for 92 yards. Alex Tecza also contributed with an 11-yard touchdown run for Navy.
Early Dominance Fades for Oklahoma
Oklahoma started strong, taking a 14-0 lead in the first quarter. Gavin Sawchuk’s 21-yard touchdown on the opening drive set the tone, followed by a dazzling 56-yard touchdown connection from Hawkins to Zion Kearney. Hawkins, after rolling left and reversing field, found Kearney for a catch-and-run score.
However, the Sooners faltered as the game progressed. “We came out strong but lost focus in the second quarter,” Hawkins admitted. “In a game like this, you have to stay locked in the whole way.”
Oklahoma’s depleted roster, affected by more than two dozen players entering the transfer portal, showed signs of strain. The absence of key defensive standouts Danny Stutsman and Billy Bowman, who opted out to prepare for the NFL draft, further complicated matters.
Mixed Reflections for Oklahoma
The Sooners, wrapping up their first season in the Southeastern Conference, finished 6-7 for the second time in head coach Brent Venables’ three years. Despite the challenges, Oklahoma tight end Jake Roberts, who scored the team’s final touchdown, found silver linings.
“It’s not the season we hoped for, but we grew a lot as a team,” Roberts said. “Adversity teaches you how to fight.”
Final Thoughts
While Oklahoma extended its streak to 26 consecutive bowl appearances, its 23-season run of winning records ended with Venables’ arrival. The Sooners’ young, makeshift roster struggled to capitalize on opportunities, including multiple dropped passes by a freshman-heavy receiving corps.
For Navy, the game epitomized determination and resilience, as the Midshipmen overcame early adversity to secure a memorable victory in a hard-fought season finale.
