Navy’s Alex Tecza notched three first-quarter touchdowns, Dashaun Peele returned two interceptions for scores and the No. 25-ranked Midshipmen walloped the turnover-prone Charlotte 49ers 51-17 Saturday in American Athletic Conference in Annapolis, Md.
A fullback, Tecza rushed for two scores and added a TD reception as 16-point favorite Navy (6-0, 4-0 AAC) scored 24 points inside the game’s first dozen minutes.
Tecza rushed for 68 yards on eight carries and caught one pass for 46 yards.
Blake Horvath went 7 of 13 for 117 yards and three TDs.
In addition to Peele’s two pick-sixes, linebacker Kyle Jacob produced an interception and fumble recovery as the Midshipmen created five turnovers.
The Midshipmen opened their season with six straight wins for the first time since 1979.
In losing for the first time in three games, Charlotte (3-4, 2-1) struggled as starting quarterback Max Brown completed 7 of 16 passes for 152 yards with two TDs and three interceptions. Backup Trexler Ivey also tossed an interception.
Playing as a ranked team for the first time since 2019, the Midshipmen deployed Tecza to slice through the visiting defense early.
On the game’s first series, Horvath ended a 73-yard drive with a strike of 46 yards to Tecza on a wheel route 1:53 into the matchup.
After Tecza found paydirt for the second time on a 12-yard run, Jacob intercepted Brown deep inside Charlotte territory at the 17-yard line. Tecza then made it 21-0 from 2 yards out.
Following Jacob’s fumble recovery, Nathan Kirkwood connected from 22 yards for a 24-0 lead.
On the 49ers’ fourth possession, they committed a third first-quarter turnover when Rayuan Lane III intercepted Brown in Charlotte territory with 1:42 left.
Navy continued to change the scoreboard, with Cody Howard grabbing an 11-yard pass from Horvath less than two minutes into the second.
Peele padded the lead to 38-0 by stepping in front of Ivey’s pass for a 61-yard pick-six.
Charlotte finally broke the ice when kicker Stephen Rusnak was good from 39 yards with 8:49 left in the half. Brown returned and fired a 20-yard TD pass to O’Mega Blake to bring the halftime score to 38-10.
In the third, Horvath hit Brandon Chatman on a 19-yard TD pass, but Brown answered from 13 yards with a strike to Duane Thomas Jr.
Peele brought another interception back 84 yards, bulling his way in over the goal line for the final 34-point margin.
–Field Level Media
