Navy dominated Towson 42-15 behind an explosive 506-yard rushing attack, heavily led by quarterback Braxton Woodson. Woodson proved to be an unstoppable force in the Midshipmen’s season opener, tallying three touchdowns and setting a career-high on the ground.
Woodson’s Career Day
Quarterback Braxton Woodson delivered a brilliant performance, rushing for 200 yards on 23 carries. Operating seamlessly under the direction of offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, Woodson scored on runs of 38, 8, and 4 yards. The 38-yard touchdown occurred on the game’s opening drive, setting a physical tone for the rest of the afternoon.
The Midshipmen ground game overwhelmed the Tigers from start to finish. Fourteen different players recorded at least one carry to help amass 506 total rushing yards, marking the 12th most in school history. Running back Vic Listorti also contributed heavily with 81 yards on 11 carries, which included a 35-yard touchdown dash in the first quarter.
Early Defensive Lapses
While the rushing attack thrived, the Navy secondary struggled with giving up big plays early in the contest. Towson quarterback Andrew Indorf found success pushing the ball downfield, keeping the game within single digits during the first half.
- First Strike: Indorf connected with wide receiver Aaron Enterline for a 48-yard touchdown to start the second quarter.
- Second Strike: On the very next Towson drive, Indorf completed a 30-yard scoring pass to Jacob Zollar.
Despite surrendering those deep passing touchdowns, the Navy defense ultimately tightened its coverage. The Midshipmen completely shut down the Towson rushing attack, holding the Tigers to just 39 yards on the ground while recording three sacks on the day.
The Road Ahead for Navy
Following their season-opening victory at home, the Midshipmen face a demanding stretch featuring three consecutive road tests. Navy will first travel to Boca Raton to open American Athletic Conference play against Florida Atlantic on September 12. After a bye week, the team visits Birmingham to take on UAB on September 25, followed by a critical road battle against rival Air Force on October 3.
To successfully navigate the American Conference slate and compete for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy, Navy must immediately clean up its secondary play. While Woodson and the rushing attack can control game tempo, giving up chunk passing plays and blown coverages will prove far more costly against higher-caliber conference passers and disciplined service academy rivals. Shore up communication on the back end and eliminate deep-ball lapses as the top priority as the Midshipmen prepare for FAU.
