Honestly, if you're looking at navy vs fau football and expecting a standard, run-of-the-mill American Athletic Conference matchup, you're missing the forest for the trees. Most fans see "Navy" on the schedule and their brain immediately defaults to 1950s grainy footage of fullbacks diving into the line for two yards.
That's just not what happened on October 25, 2025.
The Midshipmen walked into Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and basically dismantled the Florida Atlantic Owls in a 42-32 track meet that looked more like a modern spread offense clinic than an antiquated military parade. This wasn't just a win; it was Navy moving to 7-0 for the first time since 1978. It was a statement.
The Blake Horvath Show: Not Your Grandpa’s Navy QB
Let's talk about Blake Horvath.
He didn't just play quarterback; he essentially operated as a human cheat code against the FAU defense. Most people think Navy quarterbacks can’t throw or that they only run when the play breaks down. Horvath turned that logic on its head by rushing for 174 yards and four touchdowns. Four.
His performance tied a career high and, quite frankly, left the FAU linebackers looking like they were stuck in mud.
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Wait, it gets better.
Navy’s offense, under the direction of Drew Cronic, has evolved. They’re still a rushing juggernaut—they put up 397 yards on the ground against the Owls—but it’s "hybrid" now. They use wings, they use motion, and they use guys like Brandon Chatman (who had 141 rushing yards of his own) to stretch the field horizontally before Horvath gnashes them vertically.
Why the FAU Rally Fell Short
Caden Veltkamp and the Owls didn't exactly roll over.
Actually, Veltkamp entered that game leading the nation in completions per game, which is a wild stat considering FAU’s overall record. He threw for 299 yards and kept the Owls in striking distance for most of the afternoon.
The score was 21-13 at the half.
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FAU’s Jayshon Platt was a problem. He caught a 43-yard touchdown pass right out of the gate to give the Owls a 7-0 lead. It felt like an upset was brewing. But then, the Navy defense—led by linebacker Coleman Cauley—decided to show up.
Cauley was making his first career start. Talk about pressure. He finished with nine tackles, forced a fumble, recovered it, and snagged an interception. It was the kind of performance that makes a coaching staff look like geniuses for finally putting a kid in the lineup.
Even though Zach Gibson came in late for FAU and tossed two quick touchdowns to Jabari Smith Jr. in the final two minutes, the damage was done. The onside kick recovery by FAU was a nice bit of drama, but it was too little, too late.
The All-Time Series: A One-Sided Affair
If you're betting on navy vs fau football, history is shouting at you to look at the Midshipmen.
Navy now leads the series 3-0.
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- 2012: Navy wins 24-17 (The first meeting)
- 2017: Navy wins 42-19 (A blowout in Boca Raton)
- 2025: Navy wins 42-32 (The Homecoming statement)
The common thread? Navy’s ground game. FAU has never found an answer for the discipline and conditioning of the Mids. In 2017, Navy ran for 416 yards. In 2025, they ran for 397. It’s a recurring nightmare for Owl fans.
What This Means for the American Athletic Conference
Navy eventually finished that 2025 season with an 11-2 record, one of the best in modern academy history. That October win over FAU was the bridge that took them from "good story" to "serious contender."
Meanwhile, FAU ended the year 4-8. They have talent—Veltkamp is a legitimate pro-style prospect—but the inconsistency on the defensive line is what's holding them back. You can't give up 7.1 yards per carry and expect to win in a conference that features heavy-run teams like Navy and Army.
For fans of the Owls, the focus has to shift toward interior defensive recruiting. For Navy fans, the 2025 season proved that the "New Navy" offense isn't just a gimmick; it’s a powerhouse.
If you're planning on watching the next iteration of navy vs fau football, don't look for the "under." These teams are scoring points. Navy has averaged 36 points per game across their three meetings. FAU is finding its rhythm in the passing game. It's high-speed, high-stakes football that defies the old stereotypes of triple-option slogs.
Keep an eye on the transfer portal for FAU this offseason. They need bulk up front. For Navy, the challenge is replacing the production of guys like Horvath and Chatman, who proved that the Academy can still recruit elite athletes who can run past you, not just through you.
To stay ahead of the next matchup, you should track the recruiting cycles for both programs, specifically focusing on FAU's defensive line transfers and Navy's upcoming quarterback battle. Watch for spring game reports to see if Navy's new offensive wrinkles continue to evolve beyond the 2025 success.