The Navy Midshipmen have a genuine Heisman Trophy contender. No, you did not misread that sentence. No, you haven’t traveled back in time to a time when option football ruled the world.
Blake Horvath has guided the Navy football program to a 6-0 record and has established himself as one of the most outstanding players in all college football during this incredible 2024 season.
Is Blake Horvath A Genuine Heisman Trophy Contender?
Is Horvath a genuine Heisman Trophy contender? You better believe he is.
A Midshipman football player hasn’t won the award for the most outstanding player in college football since Roger Staubach in 1963, and many casual football fans couldn’t imagine a player from the Naval Academy being remotely relevant in this modern era of the sport.
Yet, Horvath is not your traditional Navy quarterback and he isn’t operating a traditional triple-option offense.
Since the arrival of offensive coordinator Drew Cronic, the Midshipmen have molded a remodeled version of your average option offense, mixing in plays from the shotgun and spread concepts that have left opposition defensive coordinators more confused than ever.
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Horvath has proven to be the man to run it. As he relentlessly picked apart the Charlotte 49ers on Saturday night, the first-year starter etched his name into the Navy records book.
Showcasing a high-level ability to read defenses and an arm you wouldn’t associate with a Navy quarterback, Horvath has thrown for over 100 yards in six consecutive games. That doesn’t sound much in the modern era of offenses slinging the ball all over the park, but he’s the first Midshipmen quarterback to achieve the feat since the 1993-1994 seasons.
The Navy superstar was already attracting Heisman Trophy consideration from those in the know before his three touchdown passes against Charlotte, which moved him to sixth for single-season passing scores in program history. Horvath has thrown 10 touchdowns for the Midshipmen this fall, needing just three more to equal a record that has stood since 2010.
The three touchdown passes in a single game were the most since Keenan Reynolds set the mark in 2012.
That only covers Horvath’s contributions as a passer.
Ahead of the Charlotte game, the Navy QB averaged an AAC-high 8.6 yards per carry as a rusher, with 113.0 rushing yards per game and double-digit rushing touchdowns. While you’re not comparing apples to apples, Heisman Trophy frontrunner Ashton Jeanty has averaged 9.9 yards per carry ahead of Week 8.
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So far, we’ve only discussed Horvath’s accomplishments relative to the Navy standard, the Midshipmen records book. However, the ascending dual-threat quarterback ranks favorably among other Heisman Trophy contenders across the college football landscape.
No other quarterback in the country produces anywhere near the same percentage of explosive plays per passing attempt. No other quarterback in the country has a rushing play of over 90 yards.
Hell, only one running back in the nation has a play of that magnitude, and it isn’t Boise State Broncos star Jeanty. This isn’t to drag his candidacy; it’s a statement of Horvath’s legitimacy.
Statistics are a great measuring stick for Heisman’s contention. If you put up over 2,000 rushing yards, or over 4,000 passing yards, or catch 20 touchdown grabs, there’s a chance you’ll receive consideration for an invite to New York in early December. That is especially the case if your play has a team unbeaten and in the race for a conference crown or playoff spot.
However, there’s something more to Heisman Trophy consideration than statistics alone. When talking about the legitimacy of candidacy, analysts and fans alike raise the mythical beast that is the “Heisman Moment” — a play that defies all logic, a play that drags the watcher from the abyss of desperation to the ecstasy of glory in the blink of an eye.
Where to begin for Horvath and his Heisman highlight reel?
90-YARD QB TOUCHDOWN RUN!
Blake Horvath has 416 total yards, 6 TD@NavyFB pic.twitter.com/28kQIFHhMm
— CBS Sports College Football 🏈 (@CBSSportsCFB) September 21, 2024
Yeah, that seems like a good place to start. The 90-yard touchdown against the Memphis Tigers should play all around the Heisman Trophy ceremony as the standard-bearer of Horvath’s season (so far).
We should measure a player’s performance in their biggest game. The Navy quarterback rushed for 211 yards (17.6 per carry) and four touchdowns against a team many considered a Group of Five frontrunner for the College Football Playoff. He also completed 75% of his pass attempts for 192 yards and two touchdowns. Performances don’t come much bigger than that.
There will be more significant opportunities to come for Horvath to prove his legitimacy as a Heisman Trophy contender. Navy faces the Notre Dame Fighting Irish in Week 9, a bitter rivalry game where the Midshipmen will look to avenge a shellacking on foreign soil one year ago. Meanwhile, the Midshipmen must also face a strong Tulane Green Wave team down the stretch.
If Horvath can guide Navy to wins in those matchups, his Heisman Trophy legitimacy won’t be in doubt, his invitation to New York will be sealed.
On the strength of his resume, it already should be.
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