Navy's Blake Horvath Shines with Historic 95-Yard TD in Armed Forces Bowl Victory
In an unforgettable moment during the 2024 Armed Forces Bowl, Navy quarterback Blake Horvath made history with a jaw-dropping 95-yard touchdown run, marking the longest play in the school's history. The Midshipmen pulled off a thrilling 21-20 victory over Oklahoma, thanks in large part to Horvath's incredible performance.
It wasn’t the most conventional moment of brilliance from a quarterback, especially one who humbly referred to himself as "not really that fast." But as soon as he faked the handoff on a read-option play, Horvath found himself with an open field ahead. What followed was pure magic. Horvath raced through the Oklahoma defense, evading pursuers with the help of his teammates, notably Brandon Chatman, who played a key role in blocking for him. It looked like a certain touchdown, but after a quick review, officials confirmed what everyone had seen: Horvath had indeed crossed the goal line, etching his name into the Navy record books.
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The 95-yard run not only tied the game at 14-all but also breathed new life into the Midshipmen's comeback efforts. The run was particularly sweet because it came when Navy was trailing by two touchdowns early in the game. Horvath’s sheer determination, paired with exceptional blocking, turned what seemed like a long shot into a game-changing play. His teammates, including fullback Alex Tecza, couldn’t contain their excitement, with Tecza jokingly mentioning how he was exhausted just watching Horvath race down the field.
Horvath’s record-breaking touchdown came just after Navy had fallen behind early in the game, but the team's resilience, sparked by his heroic play, was evident throughout. As the game progressed, Navy managed to go ahead with a 6-yard touchdown run by Horvath in the final minutes, taking the lead with just 4:34 left. In a dramatic finish, Navy's defense stood strong, preventing Oklahoma from converting a critical two-point attempt with just six seconds remaining, sealing the victory.
Horvath’s 95-yard dash surpassed the previous longest play in Navy football history, a 93-yard run by Johnny Sai in 1963. This remarkable achievement was not the first time Horvath had delivered on big runs, as he had already made a 90-yard touchdown earlier in the season, making him one of only two Navy players to score two such long runs in a single season.
The victory in the Armed Forces Bowl not only gave Navy its 10th win of the season but also highlighted the impressive performance of Horvath, who is clearly making a name for himself as one of the most electrifying players in college football.
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