The Navy Midshipmen have gone from undefeated to a near afterthought following a tough stretch this season. As the annual Army-Navy Game is still on the horizon, starting QB Blake Horvath’s status for the fight for the Commander-In-Chief Trophy will be crucial.
However, for the game against ECU in Week 14, it appears the latest Horvath injury update isn’t a good one.
What Happened to Blake Horvath?
Originally, Horvath was injured against Tulane on a scramble. He had started the game against the Green Wave and kept Navy in the ball game.
But with 6:08 remaining in the first quarter, Horvath’s game looked in doubt.
On a 2nd & 6 from the Navy 46, Horvath took a shotgun snap and ran a designed QB sweep to the left. The blocking folded in front of him and he was forced to go to the right.
With a closing defensive back right around the first-down line, Horvath was met by a sandwich of Tulane defenders and came down hard on his shoulder for a first down. He stayed on the ground and doubled over before ultimately exiting the game.
After TV replays were shown, it wasn’t quite clear what ailment Horvath was suffering from. He walked gingerly to the sidelines and entered the blue injury tent soon thereafter.
— go to ➡️ collegefootballnetwork.com (@PickettsPool) November 16, 2024
It was later revealed on the broadcast that Horvath was reportedly suffering from back spasms.
Is Blake Horvath Playing Today?
Horvath was shown on the exercise bike during the broadcast following his injury, but later it was announced he would miss the remaining stages of the game after being taken into the blue medical tent.
Now, with ECU in Week 14 before a bye week and then the Army game, Horvath appears to be eyeing his return next month.
Officially, Horvath will not play against ECU in Week 14, rather the Midshipmen will rotate both Braxton Woodson and Jackson Gutierrez at quarterback in replacement of Horvath.
The Navy offense runs through Horvath as he is the first Navy QB with 10 rushing touchdowns and 10 passing touchdowns in over a decade and one of just four players nationally to accomplish such a feat in 2024.
Woodson and Gutierrez split time in replacing Horvath against Tulane, a game in which they were shut out. The Midshipmen will certainly hope for a betting outing from these two against ECU and to get Horvath back for their annual game against Army.
College Football Network has you covered with the latest from the ACC, Big Ten, Big 12, SEC, and every Group of Five conference and FBS Independent program.