Oct 5, 2024; Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA; Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) runs the ball as Air Drive Falcons defensive again Camby Goff (11) defends within the second quarter at Falcon Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Pictures For the primary time for the reason that finish of the 2019 season, No. 25 Navy is again within the AP rankings, and the participant most accountable for the rise of the Midshipmen after 4 straight dropping seasons is quarterback Blake Horvath.
When Navy (5-0, 3-0 American Athletic Convention) hosts Charlotte (3-3, 2-0) in its homecoming on Saturday, all eyes will probably be on Horvath, a typical Midshipmen quarterback in that he leads the crew in dashing but in addition an atypical one contemplating his environment friendly passing numbers.
Whereas Horvath does not throw typically, finishing 39 of 59 passes for 771 yards and 7 touchdowns with one interception, his dual-threat effectiveness has catapulted him to the highest mark within the BCS in ESPN’s complete quarterback score (QBR) at 92.8.
“They throw it a lot better than a standard possibility crew throws the soccer,” Charlotte coach Biff Poggi mentioned. “The quarterback is a star.”
Horvath’s star flip got here final month in a 56-44 upset of AAC preseason favourite Memphis as he rushed for 211 yards and 4 touchdowns and accomplished 9 of 12 passes for 192 yards and two extra scores.
“Memphis has numerous athletes on the defensive facet,” Poggi mentioned, “and he out-ran a bunch of men.”
In Navy’s most up-to-date win, 34-7 at Air Drive on Oct. 5, Horvath carried 19 occasions for 115 yards and two touchdowns. He additionally threw for 134 yards because the Midshipmen ended a four-season dropping streak towards the Falcons.
It has been a exceptional turnaround for a Navy squad that went 5-7 final 12 months and was picked to complete eleventh within the 14-team AAC within the preseason. With a win Saturday, the Midshipmen can be off to a 6-0 begin for the primary time since 1979.
“The one factor I have been most impressed with, with our soccer crew, is simply their potential to maintain the blinders on and preserve working,” Navy’s second-year coach Brian Newberry mentioned. “Nothing’s modified from the primary week to now.”
Charlotte has additionally exceeded expectations after being slotted to complete thirteenth within the AAC. The 49ers have received three of their previous 4, displaying enchancment below Poggi, who is also in his second 12 months.
“You look throughout the board, they are a large, lengthy, athletic, bodily soccer crew,” Newberry mentioned of the 49ers.
In its final recreation, a 55-24 romp over East Carolina on Oct. 5, Charlotte rolled up 311 dashing yards, its highest complete in a recreation since 2019.
Hahsaun Wilson ran for 164 yards and three touchdowns, whereas Deshawn Purdie threw for 206 yards in his second profession begin.
Due to accidents, true freshman Purdie is one in all three quarterbacks who’ve began video games for the 49ers this 12 months.
He got here off the bench to throw two landing passes within the second half of a 21-20 come-from-behind win at Rice to earn the beginning towards East Carolina.
With Navy and Charlotte coming off bye weeks, each groups enter in good well being. The 49ers will regain the providers of quarterback Max Brown, who began their opening recreation.
“Non-coach communicate, it actually will probably be a game-time resolution,” Poggi mentioned about who would get the beginning. “We may have each (Brown and Purdie) able to go.”
–Discipline Degree Media
