In a classic Service Academy clash defined by rugged defensive stands and little room for error, Air Force outlasted Navy 14-9 at Falcon Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
Freshman quarterback Liam Szarka punched in two rushing touchdowns, while the Falcons’ defense stifled Navy’s offense to just 1-of-11 on third-down conversions to seal the victory.
Tactical Ground War
From the opening kickoff, the matchup lived up to its rivalry billing: a physical, ground-heavy grinding match where every yard was earned.
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Falcons Front Stalls the Midshipmen: Air Force held Navy to just 253 total yards, limiting the Midshipmen’s option attack on critical downs.
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Dual-Threat Execution: Szarka anchored the Air Force offense, rushing 25 times for 81 yards and two scores while adding 82 passing yards through the air.
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Navy’s Big Strike: Jackson Gutierrez engineered Navy’s biggest play of the day, connecting with Truman Brasfield for a 68-yard touchdown pass. However, a failed two-point conversion left Navy trailing 14-9.
Game Summary & Box Score
| Game Stats | Navy Midshipmen | Air Force Falcons |
| First Downs | 11 | 17 |
| Total Yards | 253 | 270 |
| Rushing Yards | 110 | 188 |
| Passing Yards | 143 | 82 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 2 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 1-11 | 9-18 |
| Time of Possession | 23:59 | 36:01 |
Closing Out the Commander-in-Chief’s Opener
Navy’s late-game rally fizzled against Air Force’s relentless front seven. Navy’s final four drives ended abruptly—a costly fumble followed by three consecutive stalled possessions that netted just 19 combined yards.
Air Force safety Alexander Perez sealed the defensive effort with a crucial fumble recovery, allowing the Falcons to run out the clock and take the first leg in the battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
