Memphis football wasn’t prepared for Blake Horvath. No one was.
Navy’s quarterback was sensational on Saturday, helping the Midshipmen (3-0, 2-0 American Athletic Conference) pull off an upset 56-44 win over Memphis (3-1, 0-1 AAC) at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. The Tigers came in as significant favorites but had no answers for Horvath, who accounted for six touchdowns in a star-making performance.
Memphis had won three-straight games to start the season behind a dominant defense, but Jordon Hankins’ unit was repeatedly gashed by Horvath and the Navy offense on Saturday afternoon. After going three-and-out on their first offensive drive, the Midshipmen reeled off five touchdown drives in a row to take a 28-17 lead into the half.
The Tigers came back and made it a one-possession game. Caden Costa kicked and recovered an onside kick, and Memphis had a chance for an improbable game-winning drive. But Seth Henigan was picked off by Rayuan Lane, who returned it for a touchdown to put the final nail in the Tigers’ coffin.
The loss put a serious damper on Memphis’ College Football Playoff hopes. The Tigers host MTSU next Saturday in the non-conference finale.
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Memphis vs Navy score updates
Rayuan Lane gets a pick-six to seal the win
The Tigers were driving down the field, but Henigan was intercepted by Rayuan Lane. He returned it for a touchdown and helped Navy seal the win.
Memphis recovers an onside kick and has a chance to win the game
The Tigers have looked lifeless for much of the day, but Caden Costa kicked and recovered his own onside kick to give Memphis the ball back with a chance to go win the game.
Blake Horvath does it again, and the Midshipmen are cruising
Horvath has been ridiculous in Saturday’s game, and he just reeled off a 90-yard touchdown run after Memphis turned it over on downs. Navy’s quarterback has had a career day on Saturday, and Memphis has no answers.
Blake Horvath continues to gash the Memphis defense
Horvath rushed for another touchdown, and he’s now accounted for five touchdowns against Memphis today.
Mario Anderson finds the end zone, and the Tigers are in the game
Memphis reeled off another impressive drive, and a rushing touchdown from Anderson pulled the Tigers within one score.
Seth Henigan, Roc Taylor connect for a long touchdown
Henigan found Taylor for a 37-yard touchdown. Taylor went up between two defenders and made the catch in the end zone.
Midshipmen immediately score after the half
Navy picked up exactly where it left off in the first half, easily cruising down the field for another touchdown and jumping out to a 35-17 lead. Horvath found Chatman for a 46-yard touchdown.
Halftime: Navy 28, Memphis 17
The Tigers are officially on upset watch. Navy’s offense has dominated the game after the first drive, and Memphis’ defense has had no answers. The Midshipmen will get the ball first after halftime, and the Tigers are entering a critical 30-minute stretch for their season.
Navy’s passing attack continues to cause Memphis problems
Horvath connected with Eli Heidenreich for a 39-yard touchdown to tie the game again.
Brandon Thomas sprints away from Navy for a long touchdown
Thomas, usually Memphis’ goal-line back, took a carry straight up the middle and burst away from the Navy defense for a 57-yard touchdown.
Navy answers back with a Blake Horvath touchdown
Navy QB Blake Horvath capped off an impressive drive with a rushing touchdown to tie the game.
Memphis’ offense takes control early
The Tigers reeled off a nine-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to start the game. Roc Taylor had three catches, and Mario Anderson rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to give the Tigers an early lead.
Memphis vs Navy time today
What channel is the Memphis vs Navy game on today?
Memphis vs. Navy will be broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Carter Blackburn, Randy Cross and Sheehan Stanwick Burch will have the call from Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
Memphis vs Navy history
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Series record: Memphis leads 6-3
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Memphis’ last win: 2023 (28-24)
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Navy’s last win: 2018 (22-21)
Memphis vs Navy predictions
Memphis 35, Navy 21. There are some dicey moments early, but the Memphis offense kicks into gear and helps the Tigers start conference play with a win.
Memphis vs Navy betting odds
Game lines and odds from BetMGM as of Saturday:
Memphis vs Navy injury updates
Sutton Smith, Kourtlan Marsh and Javante Mackey are out for the year for Memphis. Elijah Herring missed last week’s game vs. Florida State. Greg Desrosiers was injured during the Florida State game and is not expected to play against Navy.
Memphis vs Navy weather update
The forecast calls for a high of 77 degrees on Saturday in Annapolis.
Memphis football 2024 schedule
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Aug. 31: vs. North Alabama (60-0 W)
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Sept. 7: vs. Troy (38-17 W)
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Sept. 14: at Florida State (20-12 W)
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Sept. 21: at Navy
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Sept. 28: vs. Middle Tennessee
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Oct. 11: at South Florida
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Oct. 19: vs. North Texas
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Oct. 26: vs. Charlotte
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Nov. 2: at UTSA
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Nov. 8: vs. Rice
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Nov. 16: vs. UAB
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Nov. 28: at Tulane
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Navy football 2024 schedule
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Aug. 31: vs. Bucknell (49-21 W)
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Sept. 7: vs. Temple (38-11 W)
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Sept. 21: vs. Memphis
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Sept. 28: at UAB
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Oct. 5: at Air Force
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Oct. 19: vs. Charlotte
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Oct. 26: vs. Notre Dame
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Nov. 2: at Rice
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Nov. 9: at South Florida
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Nov. 16: vs. Tulane
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Nov. 30: at East Carolina
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Dec. 14: vs. Army
Memphis football news
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This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis vs Navy: Game updates, live score in college football
