Looking ahead: Navy’s Horvath has career passing game vs. Air Force

The American Conference, at least this season, is starting to catch up to the big boys of college football.

Six weeks into the season, the American has a 31-16 out-of-conference record, the fifth best non-league conference record in college football and just a few games behind the Atlantic Coast Conference, which has a record of 35-16 in non-league games. Last season, the American finished with a 27-27 non-league record, excluding bowl games where the conference finished 6-2.

The American is also one of three FCS conferences to have at least three undefeated teams, with Memphis at 6-0, and North Texas and Navy at 5-0. The SEC has four undefeated teams and the Big Ten has three undefeated teams.

Memphis also has the nation’s longest winning streak at 10 games and became the first bowl eligible FBS team this season. The Tigers are bowl eligible for the 12rth consecutive year.

Navy quarterback Blake Horvath was named the league’s offensive player of the week, as he set a program record with 469 yards of total offense to help the Midshipmen remain unbeaten with a 34-31 win against Air Force in the first game of the Commander-In-Chief’s trophy series. Horvath completed 20 of 26 passes or a career-high 339 yards and three touchdowns (80, 60, 19), while adding 130 rushing yards, including a 59-yard TD, on 17 carries.
 
Memphis junior defensive back Kamari Wilson was named the defensive player of the week. He led a Memphis defense that limited Tulsa to season lows of seven points and 246 yards and forced four turnovers in the Tigers’ 45-7 win, extending Memphis’ winning streak to 10 games. Wilson finished with a team-high eight tackles, including one tackle for loss, and had a 15-yard interception return in the victory.
 
Memphis junior kicker Gianni Spetic was named the special teams player of the week. He scored eight points as he connected on a 50-yard field goal and was 3-for-3 on PATs in Memphis’ 45-7 win against Tulsa. Spetic ranks second among American kickers in scoring at 8.5 points per game.

Here is a look at how Army’s 2025 opponents fared last week:

Tarleton State (6-0) – The third-ranked (FCS level) Texans overcame a 35-28 halftime deficit to defeat Southern Utah, 52-42. Daniel Greek threw for three touchdowns for Tarleton State on 16-21 passing. He threw for 282 yards. Tre Page III ran for 198 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns for the Texans. Up Next: At Utah Tech.

Kansas State (2-4) – Baylor outscored Kansas State by 15 points in the fourth quarter to nip the Wildcats 35-34 in a Big 12 Conference game. Avery Johnson completed 29 of 45 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns for Kansas State. He threw one interception. He also rushed for 72 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Up Next: TCU.

North Texas (5-0, 1-0 in the American) – The Mean Green did not play last weekend. Up Next: South Florida (Friday night).

East Carolina (3-2, 1-0 in the American) – The Pirates did not play last weekend. Up Next: At Tulane (Thursday night).

UAB (2-3, 0-2 in the American) – The Dragons gave up 24 consecutive points to visiting Army in a 31-13 loss to the Black Knights. UAB quarterback Jalen Kitna, who was averaging more than 310 passing yards per game, was held to just 257 yards by the Black Knights. He threw one interception. Up Next: at Florida Atlantic.  

Charlotte (1-4, 0-2 in the American) – On Friday night, the Forty-Niners lost to host South Florida, 54-26, behind four touchdown passes by the Bulls Byrun Brown. Zach Wilcke had two touchdown passes and threw an interception for Charlotte. He completed 14 of 18 passes for 150 yards. CJ Stokes rushed for 54 yards on 13 carries and had one touchdown for Charlotte. Up Next: at Army

Tulane (4-1, 1-0 in the American) – The Green Wave did not play last weekend. Up Next: East Carolina (Thursday night).

Air Force (1-4) – The Falcons came up on the losing end of a offensive shootout with host Navy, losing 34-31 to the Midshipmen. Air Force quarterback Liam Szarka was 11-for-19 on passing for 212 yards and two touchdowns. He also carried the ball 25 ties for 152 yards and two touchdowns. The Falcons have now lost four in a row since an opening day victory over FCS-level Bucknell. Next: At UNLV.

Temple (3-2. 1-0 in the American) – Evan Simon continued to impress for the Owls, throwing for 199 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-21 victory over visiting UTSA. Hunter Smith rushed for 74 yards and a touchdown for Temple while teammate Peter Clarke had four receptions for 82 yards and a score. Temple is the only FBS team in the nation to have not committed a turnover this season. Up Next: UTSA.

Tulsa (2-4, 0-3 in the American) – The Golden Hurricane were manhandled by Memphis, 45-7, with Tigers quarterback Brendon Lewis passing for 266 yards and three touchdowns on 22 completed passes. He was intercepted twice. Lewis rushed for 67 yards and had one score. For Tulsa, quarterback Kirk Francis was 20-for-34 in passing for 175 yards and a touchdown. He was intercepted three times. Micah Tease caught two passes for 57 yards and a touchdown for the Hurricanes. Up Next: Bye.

UTSA (2-3, 0-1 in the American) – The visiting Roadrunners blew a 14-3 halftime lead to Temple when the Owls outscored them 21-7 in the third quarter and held on for the victory. UTSA quarterback Owen McCown was 25-for-37 in passing for 234 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. AJ Wilson had three receptions for 67 yards for UTSA. Up Next: Rice.

Navy (5-0, 3-0 in the American) – Navy got a tougher game than many thought against visiting Air Force. But Horvath’s school-record 469 yards of total offense helped the Midshipmen hold off the Falcons, 34-31. Eli Heidenreich had eight catches for 243 yards and a school-record tying three touchdown passes. Navy has won eight straight games dating back to last season. Up Next: At Temple.