Navy runs past Air Force 34-7, reaches 5-0 for first time since 2017
Air Force quarterback Quentin Hayes, center, pitches out the ball as Navy defensive end Justin Reed, left, and defensive tackle Kendall Whiteside pursue in the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. — Quarterback Blake Horvath ran for 115 yards and Eli Heidenreich added 100 yards, leading Navy to a 34-7 victory over Air Force on Saturday in the first game of this season's Commander In Chief series.
In the 1,400th game in program history, Navy won with its usual ground dominance (329 yards) and a defense that allowed only 273 yards. The Midshipmen have gone on to win the CIC Trophy 11 of the past 12 times they defeated Air Force.
Horvath ran for two touchdowns, Heidenreich added one rushing touchdown and his 51-yard run set up another score in the fourth quarter.
Navy had 185 yards rushing in the first half, highlighted by Nathan Kent's 34-yard end-around touchdown on a fourth-down play. Navy led 21-7 at halftime.
Air Force scored on a 45-yard pass from Quentin Hayes to Tre Roberson in the second quarter. Hayes completed 5 of 6 passes for 115 yards. The Falcons (1-4) ran it 48 times for 158 yards.
The Midshipmen, 5-0 for the first time since 2017, got 134 yards passing from Horvath who completed 9 of 15 passes.
It was the fourth time this season that Navy held its opponent to three touchdowns or less.
Air Force quarterback Quentin Hayes rolls out to pass the ball in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Navy Saturday, Oct. 5, 2024, at Air Force Academy, Colo. Credit: AP/David Zalubowski
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