Blake Horvath leads Navy to thrilling Armed Forces Bowl win

By Chris Price
Copyright 2024 All Rights Reserved

FORT WORTH, TEXAS (December 27, 2024) Blake Horvath had a night to remember as Navy edged out Oklahoma 21-20 in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, played at Amon G. Carter Stadium on Friday. Horvath set a Navy record with a 95-yard touchdown run, helping the Midshipmen overcome an early 14-point deficit.

Horvath’s record-breaking run came late in the third quarter, tying the game at 14. With 4:34 left, he scored the go-ahead touchdown on a 6-yard run. Just moments earlier, he kept the drive alive with a clutch 16-yard pass on fourth-and-3.

Oklahoma made it interesting with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Michael Hawkins Jr. to Jake Roberts with six seconds left. The Sooners went for the win with a 2-point conversion, but Navy’s Justin Reed sacked Hawkins to seal the victory.

Horvath ran for 155 yards on 18 carries and threw for 92 yards. Alex Tecza added an 11-yard touchdown run for Navy. The Midshipmen (10-3) celebrated their sixth 10-win season, their first since 2019.

Oklahoma (6-7) started strong with Gavin Sawchuk’s 21-yard touchdown and Hawkins’ 56-yard pass to Zion Kearney. Hawkins, in his first start in two months, completed 28 of 43 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns.

This win marks Navy’s first bowl victory over an SEC team since 1955. The Midshipmen also improved to 2-0 all-time against Oklahoma.