Air Force Falcons soar to victory against Navy Midshipmen (Photo: Air Force Falcons)
No. 22 Air Force triumphed over Navy with a 17-6 victory, extending their winning streak to 12 games. The Falcons made a statement at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on October 21 in front of a crowd of nearly 39,000.
The game’s defining moment occurred early in the second quarter when Air Force quarterback Zac Larrier defied expectations after a knee injury and threw the longest pass in Air Force history, a 94-yard touchdown to wide receiver Dane Kinamon. This impressive play was the Falcons’ only offensive touchdown of the game, despite their reputation as having the top rushing offense in the FBS.
The Falcons relied heavily on their aerial game, amassing 151 passing yards compared to 137 yards on the ground. Their defense was equally impressive, holding the Midshipmen to just 124 total yards. Air Force linebacker Johnathan Youngblood led the defensive charge with 13 tackles, and linebacker Bo Richter recorded four tackles for a loss.
Navy’s true freshman quarterback, Braxton Woodson, who was making his first start due to a rib injury to Tai Lavatai, struggled to find his rhythm, with only 6 passing yards. Lavatai entered the game in the fourth quarter but couldn’t mount a comeback, leading to two interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown by Air Force’s Alec Mock, sealing Navy’s fate.
With this win, Air Force is one victory away from defending the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, with a matchup against Army in Week 10. The Falcons are now in contention to become the first service academy to secure a spot in a New Year’s Six bowl as the designated Group of Five participant.
For the Midshipmen, the loss snapped a two-game winning streak, and they missed a chance to rise above a .500 record for the season. Air Force is set to face Colorado State on Saturday in their next game in Week 9, while Navy will have a week before seeking redemption against Temple in Week 10.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.