Navy's offense always provides a unique challenge for opposing defenses. They run the triple option, but has more of a modern look under offensive coordinator Drew Cronic who has gotten the passing game more involved. This offense currently ranks No. 2 in the country in yards per play (7.5), No. 1 in the country in rushing yards per game (317.3) and No. 1 in the country in passing yards per completion (16.6). The Notre Dame defense will have their work cut out for them and Navy's offense has a lot of talent and experience returning on their offensive depth chart and it starts with their game-changing quarterback.
Quarterback #11 Blake Horvath
Quarterback Blake Horvath is going into his second full season starting under center for the Midshipmen. So far, he has tallied 1,143 passing yards, seven passing touchdowns, 926 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns through eight games this season. Horvath has scored a rushing touchdown in every game this season except the opener against VMI and has rushed for over 100 yards in six straight games. He's the main playmaker on this triple option offense and his performance makes the entire operation spin. He is hands down the No. 1 player to account for this weekend.
Matchup To Watch: There's not one specific player to key in on when talking about matching up with Horvath. The entire defense will have to account for his playmaking ability and it starts with remaining disciplined and being sound tacklers. Notre Dame's defense has struggled bringing down ball carriers in the last three games. They've racked up 29 missed tackles in the last three games while Horvath has forced 23 missed tackles this season, 11 in the last three games.
Fullback #46 Alex Tecza
Senior Alex Tecza is one of the work horses of this offense and plays fullback in this triple option attack. He's second on the team in carries with 90 on the season for 523 rushing yards and six rushing touchdowns. Tecza is currently averaging 5.8 yards per carry and is a difficult runner to bring down. He has 13 missed tackles forced and has rushed for 35 first downs this season. He isn't much of a threat in the passing attack but will sneak out of the back field occasionally and pick up yardage. Tecza has nine receptions on the season for 101 yards. He's rushed for at least 50 yards in every game this season except two, which may not sound impressive to some, but when you factor in Horvath's production it's clear Tecza is a productive player in this offense.
Matchup To Watch: It will be a conservative effort between the interior defensive line and the linebackers to limit Tecza's production. Last season, he rushed for 33 yards on 12 carries and averaged 2.8 yards per carry. The Notre Dame defense will have to replicate that performance this Saturday night; if Tecza gets going, this becomes an extremely difficult offense to stop. Players like Jason Onye, Jared Dawson, Drayk Bowen and Kyngstonn Viliamu-Asa will have to play assignment correct, sound football and win at the point of attack this weekend.
Wingback #22 Eli Heidenreich
Senior Eli Heidenreich is the Swiss army knife of this Midshipmen offense. He can hurt you on the ground as a wing back and hurt you through the air as a slot receiver. Heidenreich is currently fourth on the team in rushing with 342 yards and three rushing touchdowns on the season. He's also the team's leading receiver, by a wide margin, with 31 receptions, 575 yards and four receiving touchdowns in 2025. The next closest receiver in receptions has 13 and the next closest receiver in yards has 128. Heidenreich is Horvath's go-to receiver in almost every situation; 22 of his 31 receptions this year have gone for first downs and he has zero drops on the year.
Matchup To Watch: This is the player that can break this game open for Navy on Saturday night. He can do a little of everything you need him to within the offense and Notre Dame will have to be ready for him. It's unlikely they'll play a lot of nickel in this game given Navy's triple option offense, so the outside linebackers, whether it's Jaylen Sneed, Jaiden Ausberry or Viliamu-Asa, and the safeties will have to account for Heidenreich in almost every down and distance scenario. He's a big play threat waiting to happen and has had at least one catch in every game but two over 20 yards.
-------
Be sure to stay locked into Irish Breakdown all the time!
Join the Irish Breakdown community!
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown YouTube channel
Subscribe to the Irish Breakdown podcast on iTunes
Follow me on Twitter: @TTrow5
Like and follow Irish Breakdown on Facebook