Introduction
On October 19, 2024, college football fans witnessed an electrifying matchup between the Charlotte 49ers and the Navy Midshipmen at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland.
This American Athletic Conference (AAC) game showcased two teams with contrasting styles: Charlotte’s dynamic passing attack and Navy’s disciplined triple-option offense. The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats reveal the key performances that shaped Navy’s commanding 51-17 victory.
This article dives deep into the individual contributions, offering a comprehensive look at the game’s defining moments.
Game Summary
Navy dominated from the opening snap, scoring 24 points in the first quarter alone. Their defense forced four turnovers, including two interception returns for touchdowns by Dashaun Peele. Charlotte struggled early, with quarterback Max Brown throwing three interceptions and losing a fumble.
Despite a late rally with two touchdown passes, the 49ers couldn’t overcome the early deficit. The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats highlight Navy’s efficiency and Charlotte’s missed opportunities.
Charlotte 49ers Player Stats
The 49ers’ performance was a mix of resilience and costly errors. Below is a detailed breakdown of their offensive and defensive contributions.
Offensive Stats
Charlotte’s offense showed flashes of potential but was hindered by turnovers. The team amassed 339 total yards, with 152 passing and 187 rushing.
Passing
- Max Brown: Completed 7 of 18 passes for 152 yards, 2 touchdowns, and 3 interceptions. His longest pass was 48 yards, but turnovers disrupted the offense.
- Trexler Ivey: Completed 1 of 3 passes for 11 yards but threw a pick-six on his first drive, setting a challenging tone early.
Rushing
- Cartevious Norton: Led with 16 carries for 59 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. His steady performance provided some offensive stability.
- Max Brown: Carried 18 times for 54 yards, averaging 3.0 yards per carry, showing his dual-threat capability despite four sacks.
- Terron Kellman: Gained 45 yards on 7 carries, with a longest run of 20 yards, adding explosiveness to the ground game.
- Hahsaun Wilson: Contributed 29 yards on 7 carries but fumbled on his first attempt, costing Charlotte early momentum.
Receiving
- Miles Burris: Caught 1 pass for 48 yards, showcasing his ability to stretch the field.
- Duane Thomas Jr.: Had 2 receptions for 31 yards, including a 13-yard touchdown, marking his first-career score.
- O’Mega Blake: Secured 1 catch for 20 yards, a touchdown, demonstrating his value as an SEC transfer.
- Colin Weber: Caught 1 pass for 28 yards, notably on a flea-flicker trick play.
- Bryce Kennon: Recorded 2 receptions for 25 yards, with a longest catch of 21 yards.
- Sean Brown: Had 1 reception for 11 yards.
Defensive Stats
Charlotte’s defense struggled to contain Navy’s triple-option attack, but several players made notable contributions.
| Player | Solo | Ast | Tot | TFL/Yds | Sack/Yds | FF | FR-Yds | INT | BrUp |
| Reid Williford | 2 | 6 | 8 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Randy Franklin | 6 | 0 | 6 | 1.0/6 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Aidan Kaler | 2 | 3 | 5 | 1.0/3 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cam Burden | 2 | 3 | 5 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| CJ Burton | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
- Reid Williford: Led with 8 tackles (2 solo, 6 assisted), anchoring the linebacker corps.
- Randy Franklin: Recorded 6 solo tackles and 1 tackle for loss, showing aggression against Navy’s run game.
- Aidan Kaler: Contributed 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 assisted) and 1 tackle for loss, disrupting Navy’s offense.
- Cam Burden: Added 5 tackles (2 solo, 3 assisted), providing support in the secondary.
Navy Midshipmen Player Stats
Navy’s performance was a masterclass in execution, with their triple-option offense and aggressive defense overwhelming Charlotte. They totaled 288 yards, with 117 passing and 171 rushing, but their efficiency and defensive scores led to the lopsided victory.
Offensive Stats
Navy’s offense was led by a balanced attack, with Alex Tecza and Blake Horvath shining brightly.
Passing
- Blake Horvath: Completed 7 of 13 passes for 117 yards and 3 touchdowns, showcasing precision in limited attempts.
Rushing
- Alex Tecza: Rushed 8 times for 68 yards, scoring 2 touchdowns, with a longest run of 26 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per carry.
- Blake Horvath: Carried 13 times for 56 yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry, keeping Charlotte’s defense off balance.
- Brandon Chatman: Gained 17 yards on 3 carries, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
- Shane Reynolds: Added 17 yards on 5 carries, contributing to Navy’s ground dominance.
- Isaiah Bryant: Had 1 carry for 10 yards, showing depth in the backfield.
Receiving
- Alex Tecza: Caught 1 pass for 46 yards, a touchdown, highlighting his versatility.
- Eli Heidenreich: Led with 3 receptions for 36 yards, providing reliable targets.
- Brandon Chatman: Had 1 catch for 19 yards, a touchdown, adding to his offensive impact.
- Cody Howard: Caught 1 pass for 11 yards, a touchdown, on a key play.
- Nathan Kent: Recorded 1 reception for 5 yards.
Defensive Stats
Navy’s defense was the game’s defining factor, forcing turnovers and scoring directly.
| Player | Solo | Ast | Tot | TFL/Yds | Sack/Yds | FF | FR-Yds | INT | BrUp |
| Colin Ramos | 4 | 8 | 12 | 1.0/2 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Rayuan Lane | 7 | 2 | 9 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 1 | 1-0 | 1-0 | 0 |
| Luke Pirris | 1 | 5 | 6 | 1.0/3 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dashaun Peele | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0/0 | 0/0 | 0 | 0-0 | 2-145 | 0 |
- Colin Ramos: Led with 12 tackles (4 solo, 8 assisted) and 1 tackle for loss, dominating the linebacker position.
- Rayuan Lane: Recorded 9 tackles (7 solo, 2 assisted), 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery, and 1 interception, showcasing versatility.
- Dashaun Peele: Had 2 interceptions, both returned for touchdowns (84 and 61 yards), becoming the first Navy player to achieve this feat in a game.
Key Plays That Shaped the Game
Several moments defined the Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats and outcome.
First Quarter
- Navy’s Early Strike: Alex Tecza opened the scoring with a 26-yard rushing touchdown, exploiting Charlotte’s defensive alignment.
- Trexler Ivey’s Pick-Six: Ivey’s first pass was intercepted by Dashaun Peele, who returned it 61 yards for a touchdown, giving Navy a quick 14-0 lead.
- Max Brown’s Fumble: Brown’s fumble on Charlotte’s next possession was recovered by Rayuan Lane, leading to another Navy score.
Second Quarter
- Charlotte’s Response: Max Brown connected with Duane Thomas Jr. for a 13-yard touchdown, putting Charlotte on the board at 7-24.
- Navy’s Counter: Blake Horvath threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Chatman, maintaining Navy’s momentum.
Third Quarter
- Charlotte’s Rally: Brown found O’Mega Blake for a 20-yard touchdown, narrowing the gap to 17-38.
- Navy’s Answer: Horvath’s 11-yard touchdown pass to Cody Howard kept Navy firmly in control.
Fourth Quarter
- Field Goals: Stephen Rusnak’s 39-yard field goal for Charlotte and Nathan Kirkwood’s 22-yard field goal for Navy rounded out the scoring.
Analysis of Key Performances
Navy’s success hinged on their ability to execute their triple-option offense and capitalize on Charlotte’s mistakes. Alex Tecza’s three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving) demonstrated his all-purpose threat, averaging 8.5 yards per carry and adding a 46-yard receiving touchdown. Blake Horvath’s efficient passing (7/13 for 117 yards, 3 TDs) complemented the ground game, keeping Charlotte’s defense guessing.
For Charlotte, Max Brown’s performance was a tale of two halves. His 152 passing yards and two touchdowns showed promise, but three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, were game-changers. The running game, led by Cartevious Norton’s 59 yards, provided some balance, but turnovers prevented sustained drives.
Defensively, Navy’s Dashaun Peele stole the show with two interception returns for touchdowns, a historic feat. Colin Ramos and Rayuan Lane’s tackling prowess (12 and 9 tackles, respectively) stifled Charlotte’s offense. For the 49ers, Reid Williford and Randy Franklin fought valiantly, but Navy’s triple-option proved difficult to contain.
Team Context and Season Impact
The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats reflect broader team narratives. Navy, ranked No. 25, improved to 6-0 (4-0 AAC), solidifying their status as a conference contender. Their triple-option offense, averaging over 200 rushing yards per game, overwhelmed Charlotte’s defense, which struggled to adjust despite an extra week of preparation.
Charlotte, falling to 3-4 (2-1 AAC), faced a setback in their quest for bowl eligibility. Coach Biff Poggi emphasized the need for better ball security, as turnovers were a recurring issue. The 49ers’ offense, averaging 300 yards per game, showed potential but needs consistency to compete with top AAC teams.
Comparison to Previous Meetings
Navy has now won both meetings against Charlotte, with a 14-0 victory in 2023 and this 51-17 rout in 2024. The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats from 2024 show a wider margin, largely due to Navy’s defensive scores. In 2023, Charlotte’s offense was shut out, indicating Navy’s consistent defensive dominance in this matchup.
Strategic Insights
Navy’s triple-option offense relies on precision and discipline, which was evident in their 171 rushing yards and zero turnovers. Charlotte’s defense, accustomed to more traditional offenses, struggled to read Navy’s misdirection plays. Conversely, Charlotte’s passing game showed creativity with plays like the flea-flicker to Colin Weber, but turnovers negated these efforts.
Navy’s defensive strategy focused on pressuring Charlotte’s quarterbacks, resulting in four sacks on Max Brown and four turnovers. Charlotte’s defense, while aggressive, couldn’t disrupt Navy’s rhythm, allowing the Midshipmen to control the game’s tempo.
Fan and Analyst Perspectives
The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats sparked discussions among fans. Navy supporters praised their team’s versatility, with Tecza and Peele earning accolades.
Charlotte fans, while disappointed, highlighted O’Mega Blake’s touchdown as a bright spot. Analysts noted that Charlotte’s turnovers were the deciding factor, emphasizing the importance of ball security against disciplined teams like Navy.
Future Implications
For Navy, this win bolsters their AAC title hopes and potential for a higher national ranking. The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats suggest Charlotte needs to address turnovers to compete in upcoming games. Players like Max Brown and Cartevious Norton will be crucial as the 49ers aim to rebound.
Conclusion
The October 19, 2024, matchup between the Charlotte 49ers and Navy Midshipmen was a showcase of contrasting styles and individual brilliance. The Charlotte 49ers football vs Navy Midshipmen football match player stats highlight Navy’s dominance, driven by Alex Tecza’s versatility and Dashaun Peele’s historic defensive performance.
Charlotte showed resilience but was undone by turnovers. For more insights into this game and player performances, visit navysports.com or charlotte49ers.com. Stay engaged with college football and follow your team’s journey!
FAQs
- What was the final score of the Charlotte 49ers vs. Navy Midshipmen game?
Navy won 51-17 on October 19, 2024. - How many touchdowns did Alex Tecza score?
Alex Tecza scored three touchdowns (two rushing, one receiving). - How many interceptions did Max Brown throw?
Max Brown threw three interceptions, two of which were returned for touchdowns. - Who led Charlotte in tackles?
Reid Williford led with eight tackles (two solo, six assisted). - What was the total yardage for each team?
Charlotte had 339 yards (152 passing, 187 rushing), while Navy had 288 yards (117 passing, 171 rushing).
