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Navy Edges Air Force 34-31 in Record Shootout, Seizing Early Advantage in Commander-in-Chief's Trophy Race Annapolis, Maryland – The US Naval Academy Midshipmen secured a thrilling 34-31 victory over the Air Force Falcons on Saturday in a high-scoring encounter that marked the first contest of the 2025 Commander-in-Chief’s (CIC) Trophy series. The win, clinched at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, not only propelled Navy to a 5-0 record but also provided them with a crucial early lead in the prestigious three-way service academy competition. The matchup defied the typical expectations of a contest between two military academies known for their disciplined, run-heavy option offences. Instead, the game evolved into an aerial and offensive shootout, with the two teams combining for nearly 1,000 yards of total offence. The contest was decided by a late Navy field goal and a crucial defensive turnover that stalled Air Force’s final drive. The highly unusual offensive output for the rivalry was spearheaded by the Midshipmen's senior quarterback, Blake Horvath, and wide receiver, Eli Heidenreich. Horvath recorded a school-record 469 yards of total offence, accumulating 339 yards through the air alongside 130 rushing yards. Much of his success was channelled through Heidenreich, who hauled in eight receptions for a Navy single-game record of 243 receiving yards and three touchdowns, also making him the programme's all-time receiving touchdown leader.
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The reliance on the pass marked a significant tactical departure from the traditional service academy formula. The explosive plays kept the Midshipmen competitive against an equally potent Air Force attack. "I am throwing to a wide open Eli Heidenreich, wide open Eli Heidenreich, wide open Eli Heidenreich," Horvath noted following the game, crediting his receiver. "Their secondary is a weakness, and we knew we could exploit it with one of the best athletes in college football in Eli Heidenreich. " The Falcons, despite the loss, delivered a stellar offensive performance driven by sophomore quarterback Liam Szarka. Szarka was equally dominant, contributing 364 yards of total offence and four touchdowns (two rushing, two passing). Air Force fought back three times in the second half to tie the score, culminating in a 53-yard touchdown pass with less than 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter to level the scores at 31-31. The decisive points came moments later via a 34-yard field goal by Navy kicker Nathan Kirkwood.
With a three-point lead and less than seven minutes remaining, the outcome remained uncertain until Navy's defensive unit delivered the game-sealing play. As Air Force drove towards midfield, Navy linebacker Jaxson Campbell deflected a pitch intended for the Falcons' running back, and nose guard Landon Robinson recovered the loose ball, allowing the Midshipmen to run out the remaining time. Air Force Head Coach Troy Calhoun acknowledged the intensely competitive nature of the game, stating, "That was one heck of a football game. For everybody here, both squads; they laid it on the line. It was a tremendous game. We didn't come here to be close. " The result has immediate consequences for the race to lift the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy, which is awarded annually to the winner of the triangular series contested among the US Military Academy (Army), the US Naval Academy (Navy), and the US Air Force Academy (Air Force). As the winner of the first leg, Navy is now positioned strongly to retain the trophy they won last season.
The trophy requires the winning academy to hold victories over the other two competitors, or, in the event of a tie, the previous winner retains possession. Navy's next test in the series will come in the final, highly anticipated game against Army in December. "Historically when we've won that game in the first round, good things tend to happen," said Navy Coach Brian Newberry, referring to the statistical trend that sees Navy often secure the trophy when they defeat Air Force first. "All of our goals are still out in front of us, so that's obviously the number one tangible goal in our program is to win that trophy, to keep it here, so ecstatic to get the win. ” For Navy, the victory secures their eighth consecutive win dating back to last season and sets a solid foundation for their 2025 campaign. For Air Force, now 1-4, the loss complicates their path to the CIC Trophy, meaning they must defeat Army when they meet in November and hope for an Army victory over Navy to force a shared title, which would see Navy retain the trophy. The focus now shifts to the remaining two fixtures in the series, maintaining a storied and fiercely contested rivalry that transcends typical collegiate sport, symbolising the spirited competition inherent in the US Armed Forces.
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