TAMPA, Fla. — In an impressive display of teamwork, the Navy Midshipmen triumphed over South Florida with a score of 28-7 on Saturday afternoon. The game featured a standout moment as Eli Heidenreich electrified the crowd with a remarkable 60-yard touchdown run that set the tone for Navy’s offensive strategy. Blake Horvath also played a crucial role, throwing one touchdown and adding another with his own legs.

Navy’s ground game was potent, highlighted by Heidenreich’s long TD run, alongside notable rushing touchdowns from Brandon Chatman, who scored from 20 yards out, and Horvath, who added a 10-yard rushing touchdown. The Midshipmen’s passing game was not to be overlooked, too, as Alex Tecza caught a 38-yard pass from Horvath for a touchdown.

Throughout the game, Navy dominated the rushing game, amassing a total of 321 yards on the ground. Heidenreich emerged as the leading rusher, gaining 84 yards. Quarterback Horvath showcased his versatility by completing 6 of 11 passes for 58 yards and contributing another 56 rushing yards to the team’s total.

On the opposing side, South Florida found themselves struggling, trailing 28-0 until the final moments of the game. They managed to score late, with Michael Brown-Stephens catching a 13-yard touchdown pass from Bryce Archie with just a minute left to play.

Archie had a noteworthy performance, throwing for 282 yards by completing 26 of 43 pass attempts, but he faced challenges with two interceptions. The Bulls struggled on the ground, managing only 60 rushing yards throughout the match.

Following this victory, Navy improved its record to 7-2 overall and 5-1 within the American Athletic Conference. They remain in contention for the top spot in the conference, positioned just one game away from the league-leading teams, Army and Tulane, who both played later that day.