Navy remains alive in American, defeats Memphis 28-17

For the second-straight season, college football’s Thanksgiving platter featured a standalone American Conference matchup, featuring two of the conference’s premier teams. And for the second-straight season, the road team won in double-digit upset fashion.

Last year the Memphis Tigers were that road team, disrupting Tulane’s College Football Playoff hopes in New Orleans, but in 2025, Memphis ended up on the wrong side of the Navy Midshipmen’s 28-17 victory at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.

The Tigers, which controlled their own destiny to start the month of November, now ride a 3-game streak after a stretch of Tulane, East Carolina, and Navy, missing out on a conference title appearance for the sixth-straight year. The Midshipmen, however, are still alive for their first American Championship Game appearance since 2016, although they’ll need further help from Temple (which plays North Texas on Friday) or Charlotte (which plays Tulane on Saturday).

Navy attained the rare feat of winning a road game in Memphis. Prior to the dawn of November, the Tigers won 12-consecutive home contests. The Midshipmen upended the Tigers by means of an effective rushing offense on money downs, converting 8-of-15 third downs and their lone fourth down try to extend their possessions. The No. 1 rushing offense in America handled the ball for roughly 35.5 minutes of action, as fullback Alex Tecza attained 103 yards and two touchdowns, while Heisman-caliber quarterback Blake Horvath added 54 and a touchdown — still proving effective despite a season-low rushing total vs. an FBS opponent.

The game kicked off as a three-and-out fest, with Navy and Memphis combining for three three-and-outs and four punts in the opening frame. The second quarter contrasted greatly as the American opponents traded touchdowns on four-straight series. Memphis got the last laugh of that stretch with wide receiver Cortez Braham Jr. making a spectacular juggling catch in the end zone for a 38-yard touchdown. Ahead 17-14, the Tigers received an opportunity to further extend their lead but shanked a 31-yard field goal wide left on the final play of the half.

Navy appeared destined to recapture a lead at the start of the third quarter, taking an 18-play drive down to the Memphis 1-yard line. But upon reaching the 1, the Midshipmen coughed up the ball and Memphis cornerback Joey Hunter pounced on it for the game’s first and only turnover. However, the Tigers only went backwards and punted out of their own end zone after nearly taking a safety. The advantageous field position benefited Brian Newberry’s team, and Navy reached paydirt five plays later on Tecza’s second touchdown of the night.

Memphis’ offense never scored in the second half, subject to a pair of punts and two turnover on downs. Meanwhile, Navy fired off its second 8+ minute possession in that half, shortening the game and sealing the deal with a 13-play drive. At the 5:53 mark, Horvath ran in the punishing blow, handing Memphis its second-largest defeat in the last three seasons (Navy’s 12-point win over the Tigers last September is the largest).

Navy (9-2, 7-1 American) has nine victories in the regular season for the second-consecutive year, and the Midshipmen aren’t done yet, as the annual Army-Navy Game looms on the schedule for the second week of December. There is a possibility Navy participates a conference championship a week prior, but it needs North Texas or Tulane to fall victim to an upset in order to clinch.

Memphis (8-4, 4-4 American) finishes .500 in conference play after losing four of its last five matchups, spoiling a spectacular 7-0 start. The Tigers likely will end their two-year streak of finishing ranked but can still generate their seventh 9+ win season since 2014 upon receiving their upcoming bowl destination — their 12th-straight postseason appearance.