Braxton Woodson ran 23 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns in his first game as Navy's full-time starting quarterback. Navy beat Towson 42-15, turning its rebuilt offense's debut into a long afternoon of keep-away.
The box score explains why the performance felt more substantial than one quarterback's breakout. Fourteen Midshipmen combined for 506 yards on 73 carries. Vic Listorti contributed 81 yards and his first touchdown on 11 attempts, while reserve quarterback Jackson Gutierrez added 31 yards and two scores on eight carries. That breadth means Florida Atlantic cannot treat Woodson as the entire rushing offense. What Towson did not make Navy show was much of a passing game. Woodson attempted only six passes, so his ability to punish a defense that crowds the run remains an open question.
Navy also produced six touchdown drives of at least 50 yards, converted 7 of 12 third downs and all three fourth downs, and held the ball for 39:50. That is the formula to watch in Boca Raton. Stay ahead of the chains, extend drives and make FAU's passing game wait.
The reassuring matchup comes with one warning
Navy visits Florida Atlantic at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday on ESPNU. It is the American opener for both teams, FAU's home opener and the beginning of three consecutive true road games for the Midshipmen, followed by UAB and Air Force.
The ground matchup could hardly look more inviting. FAU allowed 281 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns on 41 attempts in its 66-21 opening loss at Florida. Navy does not need another 500-yard spectacle; it needs proof that Woodson, the line and the new rotation can impose the same basic control against an FBS conference opponent away from Annapolis.
The other side of the matchup is less comfortable. Navy held Towson to 39 rushing yards and produced three sacks, with Connor Young's third-quarter sack forcing a field-goal attempt. But Towson also completed passes of 48, 47 and 30 yards, and both Brian Newberry and linebacker MarcAnthony Parker pointed to communication as an area that needed work.
That is precisely where FAU can press. Caden Veltkamp attempted 52 passes against Florida, completing 34 for 276 yards, while Kelby Valsin caught 10 passes for 92 yards and a touchdown. The Owls also committed three turnovers, so volume alone did not make their opener competitive.
Navy's changed defensive command structure and secondary face an early challenge. Eric Lewis and Ricky Brown were promoted to coordinator roles and Jerrick Hall to associate head coach for defense, but Newberry said he would call the defense; Lewis, Brown and Hall continued overseeing the safeties, outside linebackers and defensive line, respectively. The front's work against Towson was encouraging. Now the whole defense has to receive the call, communicate it and avoid surrendering the quick strike that can undo several possession-winning drives.
How much this one matters
The model gives Navy an 82% chance to win, so this is a take-care-of-business game rather than an upset opportunity. After missing the 2025 title game on tiebreakers, the preseason American favorite begins conference play with little room to waste a favorable matchup. A win leaves Navy with a 31% chance to reach the title game and a 2.6% chance to make the playoff, while a loss leaves those chances at 11% and 0.9%.
Week 2 comes down to Boca Raton. Watch whether Woodson's offense can own the ball again and whether Newberry's defense can make FAU earn its passing yards without coverage busts.
See every modeled branch in the interactive Navy guide, with an explanation of the simulations on the methodology page.