Jackson Gutierrez replaced Braxton Woodson and threw touchdown passes of 64 yards to Jordan Collins and eight yards to Charles Robinson, then added a 49-yard touchdown run. Navy still lost 38-30 at Florida Atlantic on September 12. Gutierrez finished his relief appearance with two passing touchdowns and no interception, giving Navy something concrete to build around after Woodson left early in the third quarter with a reported ankle injury.
The comeback could not erase the possessions Navy had wasted. Vic Listorti lost a first-quarter fumble, and Woodson threw an interception with 11 seconds left before halftime that gave FAU the opportunity for Collin Rogersâ 60-yard field goal as time expired. Navy converted just 3 of 11 third downs while FAU converted 8 of 14 and held the ball for 33:50. Sustaining drives and protecting the ball would give the next quarterback a less demanding route to enough points.
Navy is idle in Week 3, with no outside game worth circling. After missing last yearâs American championship game on a tiebreaker, the preseason conference favorite already has a league loss to overcome. The interactive guide puts Navyâs chance of reaching the American championship game at 7.5%; the methodology explains the forecast. The next opportunity to add a conference win comes September 25 at UAB, where Navy has a 54% chance to win.
For the offense, the encouraging part is that Gutierrez supplied touchdowns through the air and on the ground. The harder part is finding production beyond the quarterbacks. Woodson and Gutierrez supplied 171 of Navyâs 246 rushing yards at FAU. Navy entered 2026 replacing all four of its leading rushers from 2025, including Blake Horvath, who also accounted for 1,580 of its 1,690 passing yards. That turnover makes a broader rushing contribution especially valuable; the next quarterback should not have to replace so much of the departed offense himself. Woodsonâs 96 rushing yards at FAU showed his running value, but his 3-for-11 passing for 47 yards showed how much room remained to improve through the air.
Brian Newberry has an equally urgent task on defense. Aiden Lyczek, Griffen Willis and MarcAnthony Parker each recorded a sack at FAU, yet Navy conceded five touchdown passes, including scores from 76, 36 and 30 yards. The pressure produced by those three needs to be accompanied by coverage that keeps completions from becoming long touchdowns. Eric Lewis was promoted to defensive coordinator, but Newberry said before the season that he would call the defense; correcting those explosive plays belongs directly on the head coachâs list, too.
The quarterback news to watch during the bye is Woodsonâs availability. Reporting through September 15 provided no official return timetable for his ankle injury. Gutierrezâs relief work gives Navy a productive performance to build on if he is needed at UAB. It does not settle who should start. Before that September 25 trip, Navy needs to establish what Woodson can do and how much of the offense Gutierrez will be asked to direct.