ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Memphis Tigers’ College Football Playoff hopes took a massive hit as Blake Horvath and the Navy Midshipmen secured a 56-44 win in Annapolis, Maryland.
After allowing just 29 points in their first three games combined, the Tigers’ defense had no answers for Navy’s offense.
Midshipmen quarterback Blake Horvath rushed for 211 yards and accounted for six total touchdowns.
"I told them, 'I want this to hurt," Memphis head coach, Ryan Silverfield said, after the game. "I want to feel the pain and frustration.'"
Seth Henigan and the Tigers fought back after trailing by as many as 19 points in the fourth quarter.
Memphis cut the lead to six after a Mario Anderson touchdown with 1:22 left in the game and recovered the ensuing onside kick.
Henigan then led the Tigers down the field, but Midshipmen senior safety Rayuan Lane III sealed the Tigers’ fate with a pick-six.
"Absolutely gutted," Silverfield said. "It was one of the worst performances by our defense that I've seen in a long time."
The Tigers opened the game strong, with Anderson capping the opening drive with a seven-yard touchdown run.
Horvath and the Midshipmen quickly responded, marching 77 yards down the field to tie the score on the following possession.
Memphis took a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter after Brandon Thomas broke free for a career-long 57-yard touchdown run.
In the second quarter, Navy’s offense surged, as Horvath led the Midshipmen to outscore Memphis 21-3, giving Navy a 28-17 halftime lead.
Horvath connected with Brandon Chatman for a 37-yard touchdown on the opening drive of the second half, but Henigan and Memphis responded with a 37-yard strike to Roc Taylor.
Anderson found the end zone again on a five-yard run late in the third quarter, but Memphis’ two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving them trailing 35-30.
Horvath continued his dominance in the fourth quarter, scoring two more touchdowns, including a 90-yard sprint to the end zone.
Henigan finished with 371 yards on 32-of-54 passing, including a 36-yard touchdown to Marcello Bussey in the fourth quarter. Koby Drake caught nine passes for 102 yards, while Taylor added six receptions for 100 yards. Thomas rushed for 125 yards on 12 carries, and Anderson had 117 yards on 17 carries.
