On September 12 at 7:30 PM Eastern Time, Navy Football will travel to Boca Raton, Florida, to open its 2026 season with a conference showdown against Florida Atlantic University, the first such matchup of the year and the first instance of three consecutive road games for the Midshipmen since 2010.
The series between the two programs favors Navy, which holds a 3‑0 advantage after victories in 2016, 2017 and 2012, underscoring a longstanding dominance that will be tested in the upcoming contest.
Season Opener and Conference Debut
Senior quarterback Braxton Woodson, who rushed for a career‑high 200 yards and three touchdowns in the 2025 opener, returns as the linchpin of the offense, while FAU’s returning starter Caden Veltkamp brings experience, having thrown for 299 yards and two touchdowns against Navy in the previous season.
Navy’s preseason standing is bolstered by 10 points in the Associated Press poll and three points in the AFCA Coaches poll, placing the Midshipmen among the top contenders in the American Conference.
Over the past two seasons the team has compiled a 22‑5 record, ranking eighth in the FBS for winning percentage among non‑autonomy schools, and has maintained a 79‑game home winning streak whenever it leads after the third quarter, the longest such run in the nation.
Defensively, Navy has limited its last four opponents to under 300 total yards, a streak that extends the longest period of sub‑300‑yard games since 1997.
The senior class carries a 27‑12 record over four years, and the roster reflects a national footprint with 31 states represented, including 23 players from Florida, the third‑highest state representation in the country.
The game will be televised on ESPNU with commentators Courtney Lyle and Rene Ingoglia, and will also be available via radio affiliates and SiriusXM.
In 2026, Navy will mark the 100th anniversary of its sole football national championship, honoring the 1926 team that captured the title.
Four Navy players currently serve on active NFL rosters, tying for the 10th most among non‑autonomy programs and representing what is believed to be the highest number of service academy alumni in the league’s history.