In a commanding performance, the Navy Midshipmen opened their season with a decisive 42-15 victory over the Towson Tigers on Saturday in Annapolis, Maryland. The highlight of the game was Braxton Woodson, who rushed for an impressive 200 yards and scored three touchdowns, leading a potent Navy rushing attack that amassed a staggering 506 yards on the ground.
Navy's offense was a well-oiled machine, with 14 different players contributing carries throughout the game. Alongside Woodson, Vic Listorti made a significant impact, rushing for 81 yards on 11 carries, while Jackson Gutierrez added 31 yards and two touchdowns of his own. This diverse rushing strategy proved effective against Towson, a member of the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS).
The Midshipmen wasted no time establishing their dominance, with Woodson breaking through for a 38-yard touchdown run on their very first drive. This initial march covered 75 yards in just over three minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the game. Listorti followed up with a 35-yard touchdown run that extended Navy's lead to 14-0 by the end of the first quarter.
Despite the early deficit, Towson fought back, narrowing the gap with two long touchdown passes from sophomore quarterback Andrew Indorf. Indorf connected with Aaron Enterline for a 48-yard touchdown to kick off the second quarter and later found Jacob Zollar for a 30-yard score, bringing the Tigers within striking distance. Indorf finished the game with a solid performance, completing 13 of 18 passes for 208 yards.
However, Navy's ground game proved too much for Towson to handle. Woodson added two more touchdown runs of 8 and 4 yards in the second and fourth quarters, respectively. This marked a significant moment for Woodson, who entered the season as the starting running back after limited starting opportunities in his previous three seasons.
The victory holds historical significance for Navy, as the team has a strong track record of success following season-opening wins. In fact, the Midshipmen have participated in a bowl game each of the last six times they began their season with a victory.
Looking ahead, Navy will face a challenging road ahead as they prepare to take on Florida Atlantic in their American Conference opener. This matchup will be the first of three consecutive away games for the Midshipmen. Meanwhile, Towson will look to rebound as they head to South Carolina for their second and final matchup against an FBS opponent this season.
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