Cornerback Dashaun Peele made history as the first Navy player to return two interceptions for touchdowns in a single game. Quarterback Blake Horvath threw three touchdown passes, and No. 25 Navy dominated Charlotte with a score of 51-17 on Saturday.
With this win, Navy improved its record to 6-0 for the first time since 1979 and is 4-0 in the American Athletic Conference. This also makes the Midshipmen bowl-eligible for the first time since 2019. Meanwhile, Charlotte fell to 3-4 overall and 2-1 in conference play.
“It’s a team that is focused on the work and the process,” said Navy coach Brian Newberry. “I thought we were going to be a bowl team, but it was not based on the talent of our football team; it was based on the character and the intangibles and the work that we put in.”
Peele had impressive returns of 61 yards and 84 yards. Navy forced five turnovers, which is the most they’ve had since 2019.
“I feel like I was at the right place at the right time,” Peele mentioned. “Throughout the week, we were kind of working on those plays.”
Horvath completed 7 of 13 passes for 117 yards and has now thrown 10 touchdown passes this season, just three short of the school record set by Ricky Dobbs in 2010.
Navy fullback Alex Tecza scored three touchdowns in the first quarter, with two runs inside the red zone and one 46-yard reception.
“We really put an emphasis on a quick start,” Horvath said. “It helps the defense out. It allows them to play more free.”
Midshipmen tight end Cody Howard caught an 11-yard touchdown pass, and wide receiver Brandon Chatman had a 19-yard scoring reception.
For Charlotte, quarterback Max Brown threw two touchdown passes: a 20-yarder to O’Mega Blake and a 13-yarder to Duane Thomas Jr.
“It was very frustrating,” said Charlotte coach Biff Poggi. “It was a very important game for us, and a game we thought we could win. To start that way was the last thing everyone thought we would. We worked all week on protecting the football and came out of the gate with multiple turnovers. Disappointing, but we go back to work.”
