Charlotte, NC- The Midshipmen of Navy sailed into Charlotte for the first time to play the Charlotte 49ers and as first-time American Athletic Conference football foes. The Navy defense shut out their new opponent, and the Midshipmen offense led by sub QB Braxton Woodson scored on two long plays to top Charlotte, 14-0. Woodson, a freshman who replaced starter Tai Lavatai after the first series due to a rib injury, started off nervously. However, as Guest Game Analyst Al Di Vite noted, he settled in more relaxed during the second half. Especially after he completed a touchdown pass for a 7-0 lead.
Efficiency and defense
He finished with five of 14 passes for 85 yards and 18 rushes for 32 yards. It doesn’t sound like much, but his Midshipmen defensive counterparts held the 49ers to 265 yards in total offense. Charlotte only made it to the Midshipmen territory at the 37 once and then beyond in its last two possessions of the game. The first at the 37 resulted in a turnover on downs. The second on the last play of the game resulted in an INT in the end zone by Mid CB Deshaun Peele.
After a 0-0 stalemate at the half, in the third period, Woodson connected over the middle firing a strike to Eli Heidenreich. Out of the backfield, he who avoided a tackle and bounced off another to race downfield for a 69-yard touchdown reception. With an interception by Rayuan Lane III, the Midshipmen stopped the 49ers next drive at the UC 35. However, they could not capitalize. In the fourth, Navy sacked Charlotte QB Trexler Ivey forcing a fumble and taking over at their 38. On the very next play, FB Alex Tecza broke left through hole and rambled 62 yards for the second Navy score. With 11:02 left, the Midshipmen went up, 14-0.
Midshipmen make ’em count
Navy stopped the two subsequent Charlotte possessions as noted with a turnover on downs and an interception. Both teams finished with 265 yards on 40 rushing attempts. The big differences came on three Charlotte turnovers to none for the Midshipmen. Heidenreich’s one catch on the day for a 69-yard touchdown and Tecza’s burst of 69 yards among his six carries for 76 yards powered the Mids’ offense. Al Di Vite, my GGA, joined me early on back in 1978 for one of my premiere, pre-history games. We traveled to Auburn to visit our friend Charlie Murren to see Auburn and Georgia battle to a 22-22 tie.
Next!
Charlotte heads to East Carolina who we saw lose to SMU last Thursday. It will be an AAC battle of futility as both teams hold the same record of 1-5, 0-2. Navy heads to Annapolis and we follow. The Midshipmen (3-3) will host archrival Air Force (6-0) ranked No. 22. This battle is the first leg of the Military Academies’ Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy. Last season the Air Force Falcons defeated Navy 13-10 in Colorado Springs. Despite the possibility of freshman Woodson most likely starting again, expect the Mids to be up for this one. They look to take back the disputed hardware.
