Navy held on to beat Oklahoma 21-20 in the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl on Friday.
After Oklahoma quarterback Michael Hawkins Jr. connected with tight end Jake Roberts for a 10-yard touchdown with less than 10 seconds left in the fourth quarter, Oklahoma head coach Brent Venables decided seek victory.
Venables sent his offense back down the field trailing 21-20, and the Navy defense slammed the door shut.
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Navy Midshipmen head coach Brian Newberry raises the championship trophy after the game against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium. (Andrew Dieb/Image Images)
Hawkins was in shotgun, was immediately overwhelmed by Midshipmen defenders in the backfield, and was ultimately brought down for the game-sealing sack on the two-point conversion attempt.
Oklahoma started red hot, finishing the first quarter up 14-0 after running back Gavin Sawchuk ran for a 21-yard touchdown and wide receiver Zion Kearney caught a 56-yard touchdown pass.
The Midshipmen then scored 21 unanswered points, starting in the second quarter.
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Navy fullback Alex Tecza then ran for an 11-yard touchdown for Navy, cutting the Sooners’ lead to 14-7.
In the third quarter, quarterback Blake Horvath posted the longest streak in Navy history.
Horvath faked a handoff, ran into the open field and took off for a 95-yard touchdown. It was initially ruled a touchdown short as he was knocked down right at the goal line, but a replay review ruled it a touchdown.
Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) breaks for a 95-yard touchdown run during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium. (Andrew Dieb/Image Images)
Horavth’s 95-yard run tied the game at 14 with 3:49 left in the third quarter.
The Midshipmen’s previous record came during the Roger Staubach era, when Johnny Sai had a 93-yard touchdown run against Duke in 1963.
Horvath later found the end zone again, running in from 6 yards out to give Navy a 21-14 lead.
Horvath completed seven of 12 pass attempts for 92 yards, while running the ball 18 times for 155 yards and two touchdowns.
Tecza carried 15 times for 43 yards and a touchdown in the victory.
Hawkins played well in the loss, completing 28 of 43 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 17 times for 61 yards.
Navy Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath (11) breaks for a 95-yard touchdown run during the third quarter against the Oklahoma Sooners at Amon G. Carter Stadium. (Andrew Dieb/Image Images)
Sawchuk added 13 carries for 67 yards and a touchdown.
With the loss, Oklahoma finished the season with a 6-7 record.
Navy finished its season 10-3.
