Blake Horvath, Navy seniors go out in style, top Cincinnati in Liberty Bowl

Blake Horvath threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score to propel Navy to a 35-13 victory over short-handed Cincinnati in the Liberty Bowl on Friday in rainy Memphis.

Eli Heidenreich contributed 126 yards of offense and had a touchdown catch as the Midshipmen (11-2) won their fourth straight, tying the program record for victories in a season. Alex Tecza added 80 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries as Navy completed its second straight year with double-digit victories for the first time in school history.

"To make history is what we deserve," Tecza said. "We love the game and love each other. It's such a close group. I know we'll be close for years after this, coming back for reunions and everything like that."

Horvath, Heidenreich and Tecza, all seniors, have played lead roles in the two-season run.

"In an era of transfer portal and NIL and going places because you get more money, it's about the legacy where you're at," said Horvath, who threw for 108 yards, rushed for 53 and was named the game's MVP. "It's cool to leave this legacy as a Midshipman and for guys who love the brotherhood, it can't compare to anything else."

It also was the eighth straight bowl win for a service academy team. The streak extends to 2021 and includes a victory last year by Navy over Oklahoma.

Friday's win came over a Cincinnati team (7-6) that was without 18 players who opted out, including Brendan Sorsby, who accounted for 36 touchdowns this season passing and rushing.

The Bearcats finished with five straight losses after winning seven of their first eight and achieving a rank of No. 17.

Samaj Jones, who split quarterback duties with Brady Lichtenberg, rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown.

Lichtenberg completed 10 of 15 passes for 78 yards and threw a scoring pass to Cyrus Allen. It was Allen's 13th touchdown reception this year, matching a program record.

With the Bearcats missing their top three rushers, Manny Covey was pressed into service and produced 78 yards on 11 carries.

In the wet conditions, Cincinnati struggled to move the ball. The Midshipmen gained more yards, 349-239, and collected more first downs, 22 to 12.

Coleman Cauley led the Navy defense with 10 tackles and a 5-yard interception return for a touchdown. Julien Moutome added three tackles for a loss for the Midshipmen.

After three-and-outs on their first two possessions, the Midshipmen cashed in as a 34-yard burst by Tecza, which set up a 2-yard touchdown carry by Horvath.

The Bearcats answered with a 75-yard, 17-play march, which Jones capped with a 6-yard run on a quarterback draw to tie it 7-7 with 9:47 left in the first half.

Navy took the lead for good when Horvath threw a 30-yard touchdown pass over the top of the Cincinnati defense to Luke Hutchison with 40 seconds left in the half.

The Midshipmen expanded their lead to 21-7 in the third quarter when Horvath threw a 13-yard scoring pass to Heidenreich, who became the school's all-time leader in receiving yards earlier this year.