Navy is not exactly known historically as a program with a prolific air attack, but a Midshipman shattered a school record Saturday with a fantastic individual performance.
Senior Eli Heidenreich became the first Navy receiver in program history with 200-plus receiving yards in a single game – easily snapping the single-game Navy record in the process.
Heidenreich hauled in 8 passes for 243 yards and 3 touchdowns from the slotback position Saturday against Air Force, obliterating the Navy single-game mark of 179 receiving yards shared by Rob Taylor (1967 vs. Vanderbilt) and Dave King (1976 vs. Notre Dame). The 3 touchdown catches also tied a school record, and Heidenreich now has a Navy-record 14 career touchdown receptions.
For perspective, Heidenreich’s 2025 totals were a modest 12 catches for 170 yards and 1 touchdown. Heidenreich did torch the Falcons in 2024 as well, catching 5 passes for 101 yards and adding 100 rushing yards on 5 carries.
Navy needed every bit of Heidenreich’s efforts to down the Falcons on Saturday, winning 34-31 in Annapolis. The Midshipmen rolled up 517 total yards in the game, with quarterback Blake Horvath going 20-for-26 for 339 passing yards.
An APSE national award-winning writer and editor, David Wasson has almost four decades of experience in the print journalism business in Florida and Alabama. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times and several national magazines and websites. He also hosts Gulfshore Sports with David Wasson, weekdays from 3-5 pm across Southwest Florida and on FoxSportsFM.com. His Twitter handle: @JustDWasson.
