Fall camp and fan festivities
The Navy football program is gearing up for the 2026 campaign with a tightly scheduled fall camp that begins on August 4, followed by the first full‑speed practice on August 5. The excitement will spill onto the campus quad on August 8, when Media Day and Fan Fest draw thousands of service‑academy supporters to the historic Navy‑Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
A day later, on August 15, the annual Blue & Gold BBQ will mark the final chapter of the camp, giving players and fans a chance to celebrate before the season officially opens on September 6 against Towson at the same stadium.
2025 highlights and historic achievements
The 2025 season remains a benchmark of success. Navy closed the year at 11‑2, earning a No. 23 ranking in both the AP and Coaches polls, capping the year with a Liberty Bowl victory over Cincinnati. That win extended the program’s streak to four straight bowl triumphs over Autonomy 4 opponents and delivered back‑to‑back 10‑win seasons for the first time in school history.
The team’s signature moments included a 17‑16 thriller over Army that secured the Commander‑In‑Chief’s Trophy, and a three‑way tie for the American Conference regular‑season title with North Texas and Tulane. Statistically, the Mids led the nation in rushing, averaging 285.6 yards per game, and posted a 5.76 yards‑per‑carry average that ranked second nationally.
Key players and coaching leadership
At the heart of the offense, quarterback Blake Horvath has emerged as a dual‑threat legend. He became the first Navy quarterback to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in consecutive seasons and holds the highest career pass‑efficiency rating among Service Academy quarterbacks with 150 or more attempts. His 5,646 career total‑offense yards place him fifth all‑time in program history, and his 162.5 career pass‑efficiency rating tops the academy’s record books.
Equally impressive is wide receiver Eli Heidenreich, whose 1,994 receiving yards and 16 career receiving touchdowns set new school marks. He recently showcased a career‑high eight catches for 243 yards and three touchdowns against Air Force, a performance that helped cement a 28‑game streak in which either he or Alex Tecza found the end zone.
Head coach Brian Newberry, now in his third year, has posted a 20‑10 record, the best 30‑game start for a Navy head coach since the legendary Wayne Hardin. Under his guidance the defense has surrendered just 3.1 tackles for loss per game, the fewest in the country, while the offense’s 41 rushing touchdowns ranked second nationally behind North Texas.
Looking ahead, the program’s home dominance remains a cornerstone; Navy has gone 6‑0 at home in 2025, the sixth time in school history they have finished undefeated at home when five or more home games are played. The combination of a potent rushing attack, efficient passing, and a defense that held its final three opponents under 300 total yards positions the Mids as a formidable contender when the 2026 schedule unfolds.