top of page

Midshipmen Look to Plunge Anchor Against 49ers in Annapolis

Writer: Victor HaltomVictor Haltom
Navy Midshipmen vs. Charlotte 49ers
© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

The first half of the 2024 season was a dream for the No. 25 Navy Midshipmen (6-0, 3-0 American Athletic Conference), and they hope to keep the good times rolling when they host the Charlotte 49ers (3-3, 2-0) at 3:30 p.m. EST on Oct. 19 at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Md.



Navy is coming off a bye week following a 34-7 trouncing of Air Force (1-5, 0-3 Mountain West Conference). The 49ers also had a bye last week after routing AAC rival East Carolina (3-3, 1-1) in Week 6.


Charlotte and Navy have played only once before. Last year, the Midshipmen shut out the 49ers 14-0, and Navy heads into this battle favored by 17 points.


Far-Reaching Ramifications

Much is on the line for the Naval Academy in this conference clash. The Midshipmen are in contention for the AAC title, the Commander-in-Chief's Trophy and a berth in the College Football Playoff. While a win would keep all those prospects alive, the 49ers seek to squelch Navy's dreams.


Fabulous 49ers

Quarterback Max Brown, who began the season as the 49ers' starting signal caller, returns to that role against Navy after being sidelined since Week 2 with an injury to the thumb on this throwing hand. In his absence, backups Deshawn Purdie and Trexler Ivey split time taking snaps for Charlotte.


Navy Midshipmen vs. Charlotte 49ers
© Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Talented junior wide receiver Blake O'Mega, who transferred to Charlotte from South Carolina, has 271 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions.


On the other side of the ball, the 49ers are led by elite defensive back Ali Al-Ma'hi, who excels in the classroom as well as on the gridiron. The Dean's List honoree leads the 49ers in tackles with 33 and has 2 interceptions.



Momentous Midshipmen

Junior quarterback Blake Horvath has worked his way into serious consideration for the Heisman Trophy. A dual-threat signal caller, he has rushed for 565 yards and 10 TDs, while passing for 771 yards and 7 TDs. He's thrown only 1 interception.



Horvath's favorite target is Eli Heidenreich, a dynamic athlete who excels in the running game and the passing game. He's the third-leading rusher on the team and the No. 1 receiver with 449 yards and 5 TDs on 20 receptions. He is averaging a jaw-dropping 22.25 yards per reception.



Buoyed by its elite defense, Navy has outscored its opponents by an average margin of 43.6 to 20.2 this year. First-team All-AAC linebacker Colin Ramos and standout senior LB Kyle Jacob lead the Midshipmen with 56 and 40 tackles, respectively.


Many Midshipmen
© Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images

Navy meets No. 12 Notre Dame (5-1) on Oct. 26. In order to keep their dreams alive, the Midshipmen must remain focused on the challenge posed by the 49ers rather than looking ahead to the Fighting Irish.


Broadcast Information

Time: 3:30 p.m. EST

Date: Oct. 19

Location: Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, Annapolis, Md.

Network: CBS Sports Network





Comments


Michigan Football
Blue Screen
Michigan Football
Blue Screen

Thank you to our Partners!

Dan-O's Seasoning
Grubhub Logo
The Farmer's Dog Logo
IcyBreeze Logo
Fanatics Logo
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • LinkedIn
  • TikTok

This Blog may use copyrighted material which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. The Blog is making such material available for criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, or research.

The Blog believes this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the United States Copyright law. 

If You wish to use copyrighted material from the Website for your own purposes that go beyond fair use, You must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

If you are a photographer and would like your photo removed, we have no issue taking it down. Please kindly email us at info@collegefootballdawgs.com.

Header Photo Credit: © Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Footer Photo Credit: © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Mobile Menu bar photo credit:© Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Amazon Logo
Dubby
Dubby logo
Untitled design-50.png
Untitled design-51.png
Yellow Line
Untitled design (78).png
Untitled design (79).png
Untitled design (80).png

©2024 by College Football Dawgs. all rights reserved. Proudly created with Wix

Untitled design (87).png
bottom of page