Bill Wagner: Navy football shows vs. VMI it has all the tools | COMMENTARY
0Rodi mmAugust 31, 2025
Navy football started its highly anticipated 2025 season spectacularly Saturday in Annapolis.
Snipe Eli Heidenreich and backup quarterback Braxton Woodson sparked the offense, while nose guard Landon Robinson and inside linebacker MarcAnthony Parker spearheaded the defense as Navy routed visiting VMI, 52-7.
An announced crowd of 30,014 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium was sent home happy and filled with even stronger belief that this year’s team could be special. While walking along the concourse from the press box to the interview room inside the Yeager Pavilion, I was stopped by a lot of smiling, buoyant fans who declared as much.
I don’t want to get too carried away by one win, especially against an obviously overmatched Virginia Military Institute, but it was hard not to come away impressed by the way the Midshipmen took care of business.
Starting quarterback Blake Horvath was in complete command as the offense rolled up 556 total yards, most of which came on the ground. A reconstructed offensive line clearly performed well as the Midshipmen amassed 464 rushing yards, their most in a game since 2018.
Left guard Ben Purvis was the only offensive lineman who started in the same position as last season. Hoke Smith II, who started the final three games of 2024 at right guard, shifted to center. Greyson Crawford and Jaylin Acevedo were somewhat surprise starters at right guard and tackle, respectively.
It was certainly a strong debut for the revamped unit, which created plenty of openings in the running game and did not allow a sack on 14 pass attempts. Offensive line coach Jay Guillermo had to be pleased with what he saw, while knowing the offensive line will get stronger when projected starting center Cam Nichols returns.
Fullback Alex Tecza praised the blocking effort and gave a special shoutout to Crawford, a senior who had seen minimal playing time coming into this season.
“Greyson Crawford is a senior who has never started a game. I think he deserves this moment all to himself,” Tecza said. “He’s put in so much work, shed so much blood and tears for this. I’m happy to see him go out there and have some fun.”
Woodson came off the bench to run for a team-high 180 yards and two touchdowns on just seven carries. Most of that total came on touchdown runs of 75 and 68 yards with Woodson bursting through big holes then displaying sprinter’s speed in racing untouched into the end zone.
Offensive coordinator Drew Cronic has talked about utilizing Woodson more often this season, in part to reduce the wear and tear on Horvath. Woodson certainly showed the talent that leads the coaching staff to want to get him on the field.
Heidenreich once again showed what a versatile playmaker he is by rushing for 70 yards on nine carries and adding another 65 yards on six receptions. The standout senior scored Navy’s second touchdown on an 18-yard catch in the end zone and set up another score with a 35-yard catch and run.
Heidenreich runs sharp routes, and his ability to make sudden cuts makes it difficult for defenders to stay close to him in coverage. He was wide-open on both of the aforementioned receptions.
Another superpower of Heidenreich’s is the ability to make defenders miss in the open field. He totaled 22 yards after the catch on Saturday, while many of the rushing yards were the result of juke moves that left would-be tacklers grasping for air.
Horvath led Navy in rushing last season with 1,246 yards, but he did not need to tote the ball much on Saturday. He ran twice for 14 yards, but spent most of the game distributing the ball to various playmakers.
With the Midshipmen holding a commanding 28-0 halftime lead, the coaching staff decided to give the starting signal-caller the rest of the day off. A smiling Horvath said afterward that it was the best he’s ever felt after a game.
Tecza also picked up right where he left off last season, rushing for 89 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts. He ran hard and broke several tackles in a workmanlike effort while averaging almost 6 yards per carry.
Alex Tecza ran for 89 yards and a touchdown on 15 attempts for Navy. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy’s defense dominated from start to finish, even after the coaching staff cleared the bench. VMI was limited to 212 total yards, almost all of which came through the air. Robinson and tackle Griffen Willis were overpowering at the point of attack and a major reason why the Keydets managed only 15 rushing yards.
Granted, that total was decreased by 42 lost yards as a result of five sacks, but the bottom line is that VMI was unable to generate anything on the ground. Robinson repeatedly broke into the backfield on running plays or collapsed the pocket on passing plays, recording two sacks. Willis was also active and disruptive in totaling five tackles.
Backup tackle Kendall Whiteside put an end to one VMI drive with a sack on third down, while Parker forced a turnover on downs with a sack on fourth down. He, along with outside linebackers Jaxson Campbell and Luke Pirris, tied Willis for the team-high of five tackles.
If fans want to quibble with any aspect of the defensive performance, they could point to pass coverage as VMI quarterback Colin Shannon threw for 197 yards on 16 completions. The Keydets’ lone touchdown came as a result of a blown coverage with Shannon finding wide receiver Owen Sweeney wide-open along the left sideline for a 58-yard catch and run.
Navy’s TK Hodges picks up a first down on a run before being brought down by VMI’s Steven Riveros in the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy backup quarterback Braxton Woodson gains yards on a run in the third quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy running back Shane Reynolds picks up positive yards on a run in the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy fan Suzannah Dorsey, 9, dances like no one is watching during the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy’s TK Hodges picks up a first down on a run before being brought down by VMI’s Steven Riveros in the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy backup quarterback Braxton Woodson breaks a huge run for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath gains nine-yards on a run in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The Naval Academy Color Guard during the national anthem and flyover. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy running back Alex Tecza runs in for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy cornerback Justin Ross breaks up a pass to VMI’s Malik McNeely in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Midshipmen during the national anthem. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy’s Eli Heidenreich makes as catch for a first down before being stopped by VMI’s Joe Comello in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath complete a pass to Luke Hutchison in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The Midshipmen take the field. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy linebacker MarcAnthony Parker sacks VMI quarterback Collin Shannon and Navy takes over on downs in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy linebacker MarcAnthony Parker sacks VMI quarterback Collin Shannon and Navy takes over on downs in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy’s Eli Heidenreich catches a Blake Horvath pass for a touchdown in the second quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Bill The Goat pumps up the midshipmen as the run to the seats after the March On. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The Naval Academy Color Guard during the national anthem and flyover. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Nav y quarterback Blake Horvath picks up a first down on a run in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Midshipmen celebrate a touchdown in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
The Midshipmen take the field. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
VMI’s Leo Boehling is stopped on the run by Navy’s MarcAnthony Parker after a gain of two yards in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy’s Michael Barrow runs it in for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath hands off to Michael Barrow who runs it in for a touchdown in the first quarter. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Bill The Goat before the game. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy coach Brian Newberry during pregame warmups. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy coach Brian Newberry walks to the locker room after pregame warmups. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Midshipmen from the 5th Company, commanded by midshipmen 1/C Chris Kirchner, from Severna Park, stands on the field during the March On. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Midshipmen from the 5th Company, commanded by midshipmen 1/C Chris Kirchner, from Severna Park, stands on the field during the March On. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy coach Brian Newberry walks to the locker room after pregame warmups. The Navy Midshipmen play their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
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Navy’s TK Hodges picks up a first down on a run before being brought down by VMI’s Steven Riveros in the fourth quarter. The Navy Midshipmen win their NCAA football season opener at home against the visiting VMI Keydets, 52-7, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. (Paul W. Gillespie/Staff)
Navy coach Brian Newberry was particularly annoyed that the Midshipmen allowed the visitors to convert several third-and-long situations with pass completions. Considering the Mids have three first-time starters in the secondary, there figure to be some growing pains.
Volker and passing game coordinator Eric Lewis have raved about the potential of sophomore cornerback Justin Ross, but he is inexperienced. Two straight plays in the second quarter showed both sides of the picture. Ross gave wide receiver Owen Sweeney too much of a cushion and was easily beaten for a 12-yard catch on an out route.
On the next play, Ross made a great read of a short pass in the flat to McNeely and showed superb acceleration in jumping the route. It would have been a pick-six had the youngster been able to hold onto the ball.
Bottom line, Navy was one mistake away from pitching a shutout, so it’s hard to find any fault with the overall defensive performance.
Navy also received a solid showing from the special teams units. Jacob Carlson made his debut as the punter and only needed to trot onto the field twice. The sophomore delivered a tremendous pooch punt, landing the ball inches from the goal line and having it bounce backward. It looked like a perfect pitch shot by a PGA professional.
Kicker Nathan Kirkwood converted his lone field goal attempt from 28 yards and was also 7-for-7 on extra-point attempts. Specialist Lance Gossett averaged 63.7 yards on seven kickoffs with three touchbacks.
Snipe Brandon Chatman made his debut as the punt returner and showed he could be dangerous in the role by bringing one back 18 yards to just shy of midfield. Chatman used several sharp cuts and change-of-direction moves to avoid tackle attempts.
Snipe Isaiah Bryant was the primary kickoff returner last season and has earned that role again. He totaled 60 yards on two returns, although a fumble on the second will no doubt draw the ire of assistant Mick Yokitis who oversees that unit. Bryant was bailed out by teammate Mikey Pearson, who recovered the fumble.
Perhaps the best part of the convincing victory was that so many players got into the game. Newberry mentioned afterward how pleased he was that the coaching staff was able to get valuable game experience for so many of the backups.
Of course, the level of competition increases dramatically this coming Saturday when Alabama-Birmingham comes to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to kick off American Conference action. However, if Navy plays the way it did against VMI, the home faithful will likely head home happy again.
