Navy Football Looks to Snap Three-Game Losing Streak Against Temple in Crucial American Conference Matchup
By Brian Hradsky
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The Navy Midshipmen return to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 7, looking to end a three-game losing streak when they host the Temple Owls in an American Conference matchup. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 p.m., with national television coverage on CBS Sports Network. Both teams enter the contest with identical 2-6 overall records, making Saturday’s meeting an important opportunity to salvage momentum during a difficult season.
Navy enters at 1-4 in conference play, while Temple stands at 1-3. The Midshipmen have struggled to turn strong rushing performances into victories, losing three consecutive games despite possessing one of the nation’s most productive ground attacks. Saturday offers Navy an opportunity to regain confidence in front of its home crowd and build toward a stronger finish.
Navy’s Rushing Attack Remains Its Biggest Strength
Despite its disappointing record, Navy continues to demonstrate why its ground-oriented offense remains dangerous. The Midshipmen average 295.8 rushing yards per game, ranking third nationally among Football Bowl Subdivision programs. Quarterback Jackson Gutierrez has emerged as the centerpiece of that attack, recording four consecutive games with at least 100 rushing yards.
Gutierrez rushed for 110 yards and a touchdown against Notre Dame last Saturday, although Navy fell 35-13 to the Fighting Irish. Navy finished with 212 rushing yards against one of the country’s strongest opponents but could not generate enough scoring opportunities to keep pace. The Midshipmen will need greater efficiency in the red zone and more consistent defensive execution against Temple.
Navy head coach Brian Newberry faces an important challenge as his team approaches the final stretch of the regular season. His offense has demonstrated the ability to move the football, but turnovers, defensive breakdowns and inconsistent scoring have contributed to the team’s struggles. Establishing long, sustained possessions against Temple could help Navy control the tempo while keeping its defense off the field.
Temple Presents a Dangerous Ground Game
Temple enters Saturday’s matchup with a rushing attack capable of challenging Navy’s defense. The Owls have rushed for at least 100 yards in all eight games this season, averaging 192 yards per contest. Temple has exceeded 200 rushing yards four times, including a season-high 261 against Toledo.
Running back K. Mason leads Temple with 564 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while quarterback A. Sheppard has contributed through the passing game. The Owls have shown offensive potential but struggled to consistently finish drives. Their ability to establish the run could become particularly important against a Navy defense allowing nearly 30 points per game.
Temple head coach K.C. Keeler also brings experience competing against Navy’s unconventional offensive system. Keeler previously faced the Midshipmen while coaching Delaware, including a victory in Annapolis during the Blue Hens’ 2003 national championship season. His familiarity with Navy could help Temple prepare for the challenges associated with defending the Midshipmen’s rushing attack.
Both Teams Looking to Recover From Difficult Losses
Navy suffered a 35-13 defeat against Notre Dame on Oct. 31, extending its losing streak to three games. Before that setback, the Midshipmen lost 49-39 against North Texas and 38-34 against UTSA. Those two competitive defeats demonstrated Navy’s offensive potential but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities.
Temple enters following a 17-9 loss at East Carolina, a contest in which the Owls failed to score a touchdown. Kicker Carl Hardin supplied all nine points with field goals from 41, 46 and 41 yards. Temple’s defense performed considerably better, holding East Carolina scoreless in the fourth quarter and creating opportunities for a comeback.
The Owls also received an impressive performance from linebacker Curly Ordonez, who recorded 14 tackles against East Carolina. Ordonez has led Temple in tackles six times this season and ranks among the nation’s most productive defenders. His ability to diagnose rushing plays and make tackles near the line of scrimmage will be especially important against Navy.
Navy Holds Narrow Advantage in Series History
Saturday marks the 21st meeting between Navy and Temple, with the Midshipmen holding an 11-9 advantage in the all-time series. Navy has won the previous two meetings, including a dramatic 32-31 victory in Philadelphia last season. That game featured one of the most memorable finishes of Navy’s 2025 campaign.
Trailing late, Navy quarterback Blake Horvath scored on a 51-yard touchdown run with 39 seconds remaining. Horvath then connected with Alex Tecza on a successful two-point conversion, completing the comeback. Temple will look to avenge that defeat and secure its first victory in Annapolis since 2018.
Three Keys to a Navy Victory
Control the Clock
Navy must establish its rushing attack early and consistently produce first downs. Long possessions would reduce Temple’s opportunities and help protect the Midshipmen’s defense. Gutierrez must continue making smart decisions while directing Navy’s offense.
Contain Temple’s Running Game
The Owls average 192 rushing yards per contest, making defensive discipline essential. Navy cannot afford to surrender explosive runs or allow Temple to dictate the tempo. Winning the battle along the defensive line will be critical to forcing Temple into uncomfortable passing situations.
Finish Scoring Opportunities
Moving the football has not always translated into points for Navy this season. The Midshipmen must improve their execution near the goal line and avoid costly mistakes that have contributed to recent defeats. Converting sustained possessions into touchdowns rather than field goals could determine Saturday’s outcome.
MSB Take: Navy Has an Opportunity to Regain Momentum
Navy’s 2-6 record does not fully reflect the effectiveness of its rushing offense. The Midshipmen remain among the nation’s best teams at moving the football on the ground, and Gutierrez gives the offense a legitimate playmaking threat. However, their defensive inconsistency and inability to finish close games have prevented that offensive production from translating into victories.
Temple represents a favorable matchup because both teams have struggled to consistently produce points. Navy’s home-field advantage, superior rushing production and familiarity with close conference games should give the Midshipmen an opportunity to control Saturday’s contest. The biggest concern remains whether Navy can prevent Temple from sustaining drives and exploiting defensive weaknesses.
MSB Prediction: Navy 31, Temple 24.
Navy should have enough offensive production to snap its three-game losing streak, particularly if Gutierrez continues his impressive rushing performances. The Midshipmen cannot afford to overlook Temple, but a disciplined performance could provide a much-needed victory heading into the final weeks of the season. A victory would also provide a significant confidence boost as Navy continues preparing for its remaining conference schedule and traditional season-ending rivalry against Army.
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