SOUTH BEND, Ind. — The Navy football team will face a significant challenge in their upcoming matchup against No. 10 Notre Dame without their starting quarterback, Blake Horvath. The senior player suffered a thumb injury during last week’s 31-17 defeat against North Texas, a game that brought Navy’s impressive 10-game winning streak to a halt and dropped their season record to 7-1.
Horvath, a 6-foot-2, 190-pound athlete, has a notable history with the Navy team, having started 21 games throughout his collegiate career. He had recently begun to establish himself, making his first start against North Texas this season before sustaining the injury that will keep him sidelined for Saturday’s game against the Fighting Irish.
Despite being unavailable, Horvath’s impact on the field has been substantial. He has showcased his skills as a dual-threat quarterback this season, averaging an impressive 115.8 rushing yards per game, ranking fifth in the nation and first among quarterbacks. His passing stats are noteworthy as well; he has accumulated 1,143 yards with seven touchdown passes and five interceptions. If he had enough attempts to qualify, his average of 16.8 yards per completion would place him at the top of the FBS rankings.
In Horvath’s absence, Braxton Woodson is expected to take over the starting role for Navy, presenting the team with an opportunity to adapt and showcase their depth as they prepare to face a formidable opponent in Notre Dame. The upcoming game not only presents a challenge but also an opportunity for Woodson and the Navy offense to prove their resilience.