Quarterback Blake Horvath and Alex Tecza led the Navy Midshipmen past the Memphis Tigers, 28-17, on Thanksgiving Day, clinching at least a tie for the American Conference’s regular-season title.
Navy scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters to outduel the Tigers after each team scored 14 points in the second quarter.
Navy has now won back-to-back games since losing games to North Texas and Notre Dame in previous weeks.
Memphis still leads the all-time series against Navy, winning six of the 11 games between the two teams.
Memphis lost its last three games of the season, finishing the season at 8-4 overall and 4-4 in conference play. Navy improves to 9-2 overall and 7-1 in conference play with a game against Army still to play on Dec. 13.
Navy-Memphis highlights
Final: Navy 28, Memphis 17
Blake Horvath completed five of nine passes for 100 passing yards and a touchdown. He also contributed with 54 rushing yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.
Navy football scores vs. Memphis: Blake Horvath helps extend lead
Navy quarterback Blake Horvath rushed for a 2-yard touchdown to extend the Midshipmen’s lead over Memphis. Nathan Kirkwood’s extra point attempt was good. Navy leads Memphis 28-17 with 5:53 left in the fourth quarter.
Navy football scores vs. Memphis: Alex Tecza scores second touchdown
Alex Tecza gives Navy the lead with a 12-yard touchdown run. Tecza rushed the ball four times for 34 yards on the drive. Navy leads 21-17 with 1:01 left in the third quarter.
Halftime: Memphis 17, Navy 14
Memphis kicker Gianni Spetic’s 31-yard field goal attempt was no good during the final minute of the half.
Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis completed 14 of his 20 passes in the first half for 134 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 33 yards on four carries. Navy quarterback Blake Horvath completed four of his seven passes for 82 yards and a touchdown. Horvath also tied for a team-high 19 rushing yards on four carries.
Memphis football score vs. Navy: Cortez Braham Jr. makes impressive TD catch
Memphis quarterback Brendon Lewis completes a 38-yard pass to receiver Cortez Braham Jr., who made an impressive catch after the ball was initially touched first by the cornerback. Gianni Spetic’s extra point attempt was good. The touchdown puts a bow on an 8-play, 77-yard drive that took 3:24.
The Tigers lead the Midshipmen 17-14 with 1:43 left in the second quarter. It is the fourth lead change of the quarter.
Navy football score vs. Memphis: Alex Tecza scores for Midshipmen
Running back Alex Tecza scored on a 2-yard touchdown run to cap off a 6-play, 72-yard drive that took 2:10 off the clock. Kicker Nathan Kirkwood’s extra point attempt was good. Navy leads Memphis 14-10 with 5:13 left in the second quarter.
Memphis football score vs. Navy: Tigers move back in front in second quarter
Quarterback Brendon Lewis completed a pass to tight end Matt Adcock for a 1-yard touchdown. Gianni Spetic’s extra point attempt was good. It was a 10-play, 75-yard drive that took 4:37 off the clock. Memphis leads Navy, 10-7, with 7:28 left before halftime.
Navy football score vs. Memphis: Midshipmen take first lead of game
Quarterback Blake Horvath completed a pass to receiver Kendall Evans for a 3-yard touchdown. The score ends a 7-play, 57-yard drive that took 3:20 off the clock. The extra point was good.
Navy leads Memphis 7-3 with 12:11 left in the second quarter.
End of 1Q: Memphis 3, Navy 0
The Tigers held on to the early lead throughout the first quarter, but the Midshipmen were driving down the field looking for a chance to score.
Memphis football score vs. Navy: Tigers take early lead
The Tigers finished an 11-play, 46-yard drive with a 31-yard field goal from Gianni Spetic. Memphis takes the early 3-0 lead with 5:35 left in the opening quarter.
Navy and Memphis football punt on opening drives
Both the Midshipmen and the Tigers were forced to punt the ball on their first offensive possessions. Defense is winning the early battle on both sides.
What time does Navy vs. Memphis start?
- Date: Thursday, Nov. 27
- Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
What TV channel is Navy vs. Memphis on today?
- TV: ESPN
- Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)
Navy will take on Memphis on ESPN, with Matt Barrie, Tom Luginbill and Harry Lyles Jr. on the call. Streaming options include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial.
Memphis’ Travis Burke out with an injury vs. Navy
Memphis right tackle Travis Burke will miss tonight’s game against Navy, according to Jonah Dylan of the Commercial Appeal. He started all 11 games for the Tigers this season but suffered an injury in the loss to Eastern Carolina.
Navy football coach Brian Newberry talks pregame vs. Memphis
Navy vs Memphis predictions, picks, odds
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Tuesday, Nov. 25
- Spread: Memphis (-5.5)
- Over/under: 58.5
- Moneyline: Memphis (-210) | Navy (+170)
Prediction (Jonah Dylan, Commercial Appeal): Navy 31, Memphis 28
Who is starting for Navy and Memphis at the QB position?
Quarterback Blake Horvath leads the way for Navy, with the veteran quarterback throwing for 1,290 yards and eight touchdowns while running for a team-high 986 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns. Memphis counterpart Brendon Lewis has thrown for nearly 2,400 yards and 13 touchdowns, ranking eighth among American Conference quarterbacks. — John Leuzzi
Navy schedule and results 2025
Here is Navy’s schedule and results.
- Week 1 (Aug 30): vs VMI — W 52-7
- Week 2 (Sep 6): vs UAB — W 38-24
- Week 3 (Sep 13): @ Tulsa — W 42-23
- Week 4: BYE
- Week 5 (Sep 27): vs Rice — W 21-13
- Week 6 (Oct 4): vs Air Force — W 34-31
- Week 7 (Oct 11): @ Temple — W 32-31
- Week 8: BYE
- Week 9 (Oct 25): vs Florida Atlantic — W 42-32
- Week 10 (Nov 1): @ North Texas — L 17-31
- Week 11 (Nov 8): @ Notre Dame — L 10-49
- Week 12 (Nov 15): vs South Florida — W 41-38
- Upcoming Games
- Week 14 (Nov 27): @ Memphis — 7:30 PM ET
- Week 16 (Dec 13): vs Army — 3:00 p.m.ET
Memphis schedule 2025
Here is Memphis’ schedule and results:
- Week 1 (Aug 30): vs Chattanooga — W 45-10
- Week 2 (Sep 6): @ Georgia State — W 38-16
- Week 3 (Sep 13): @ Troy — W 28-7
- Week 4 (Sep 20): vs Arkansas — W 32-31
- Week 5 (Sep 27): @ Florida Atlantic — W 55-26
- Week 6 (Oct 4): vs Tulsa — W 45-7
- Week 7: BYE
- Week 8 (Oct 18): @ UAB — L 24-31
- Week 9 (Oct 25): vs South Florida — W 34-31
- Week 10 (Oct 31): @ Rice — W 38-14
- Week 11 (Nov 7): vs Tulane — L 32-38
- Week 12 (Nov 15): @ East Carolina — L 27-31
- Upcoming Games
- Week 14 (Nov 27): vs Navy — 7:30 p.m. ET