Szarka scores twice as Air Force holds off Navy 14–9

Liam Szarka ran for two second-quarter touchdowns, and Air Force’s defense made that scoring burst stand up in a 14–9 win over Navy on Saturday. The Falcons took a 14–3 lead into halftime, allowed one long touchdown in the third quarter and kept Navy from scoring again.

The closing possessions explained why a five-point advantage was enough. Navy gained a first down on its final drive, but Air Force pushed the Midshipmen backward with a sack, and the possession ended in a punt. The Falcons then picked up the first down they needed to finish the game on the ground.

Two Szarka scores provide the margin

Neither team scored in the first quarter. Szarka broke the tie with a one-yard touchdown run in the second, giving Air Force a 7–0 lead. Navy answered with a field goal but did not reach the end zone before halftime.

Szarka’s second touchdown came on an eight-yard run with 33 seconds left in the half. That moved the Falcons ahead 14–3 and ultimately supplied enough points to win. Air Force did not score in either of the final two quarters, making its defense’s response to Navy’s comeback essential.

Szarka finished with 81 rushing yards on 25 attempts. He also completed six of 11 passes for 82 yards, though two interceptions gave Navy additional opportunities. The Falcons finished with 188 rushing yards and 270 total yards.

Navy gets close with one long pass

Jackson Gutierrez found Truman Brasfield for a 68-yard touchdown in the third quarter. The two-point attempt failed, leaving Navy behind 14–9 instead of within a field goal. The Midshipmen were then unable to add another scoring possession.

Gutierrez completed seven of 15 passes for 140 yards and ran for 33 yards. Michael Barrow led Navy’s rushing game with 44 yards on nine carries. Navy finished with 253 total yards, including 110 on the ground, but converted only one of 11 third-down attempts.

Air Force’s final defensive stand included a 10-yard sack after Navy had moved the chains. Following two incompletions and a delay-of-game penalty during the possession, Navy punted with less than two minutes remaining. Air Force’s runners then moved the ball enough to secure a first down and run out the remaining time.

Sustained possession favors the Falcons

Air Force converted nine of 18 third downs and two of three fourth-down attempts. The Falcons held the ball for 36:01, compared with Navy’s 23:59, and finished with a 17–11 advantage in first downs. Those extra possessions and conversions helped offset the two interceptions.

Gage LaDue added 31 rushing yards and Evan Medders 30 for Air Force. The Falcons improved to 3–1, while Navy fell to 1–3. Air Force’s official report lists an October 10 trip to Northern Illinois next on its schedule.