Navy vs Memphis tonight brings college football’s only Thanksgiving Day game, with major American Conference championship implications on the line. The Navy Midshipmen (8-2, 6-1 AAC) travel to Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis needing a victory to keep conference title hopes alive. Meanwhile, the Memphis Tigers (8-3, 4-3 AAC) look to bounce back from consecutive losses and spoil Navy’s championship run.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 27, 2025
- Location: Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium in Memphis, Tennessee
- TV Coverage: ESPN broadcast with Matt Barrie, Tom Luginbill, and Harry Lyles Jr.
- Stakes: Navy in 3-way tie for first place, needs win to clinch title game spot
Navy Seeks Road Victory to Keep Championship Dreams Alive
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Navy enters Thanksgiving night in a crucial three-way tie for first place in the American Athletic Conference with Tulane (#24) and North Texas. The Midshipmen are ranked sixth in conference tiebreakers despite their 6-1 conference record, meaning they need both a win tonight and help from other teams to reach the championship game on December 5.
The Midshipmen are 2-2 on the road this season but enter as slight underdogs against a Memphis team playing at home. Navy is coming off a thrilling 41-38 victory over #24 USF on November 15, marking their third win over a ranked opponent in two years. That victory clinched bowl eligibility and extended their winning momentum.
Blake Horvath Leads Dominant Navy Offensive Attack
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Senior quarterback Blake Horvath has been outstanding, combining 986 rushing yards with 13 touchdowns on the ground while adding 1,290 passing yards and 2 touchdowns through the air. Horvath is a William V. Campbell Trophy finalist, carrying a 3.69 GPA and is also a semifinalist for Walter Camp Player of the Year.
The Navy offense is led by receivers Eli Heidenreich, who leads college football receivers in yards per catch at 19.5 yards per reception with 741 receiving yards and 4 touchdowns. Running back Alex Tecza contributes 669 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns. Navy ranks first in the FBS in rushing yards at 308.2 per game.
| Statistic | Navy | Memphis |
| Record | 8-2 (6-1 AAC) | 8-3 (4-3 AAC) |
| Series History | 4-6 (Won 56-44 last year) | Leads 6-4 All-Time |
| QB Stats | Horvath: 1,290 pass yds, 13 TDs | Lewis: 2,395 pass yds, 13 TDs |
| Home Record | 6-0 (Undefeated at home) | 4-1 at home this year |
Memphis Rebounds from Back-to-Back Losses with Explosive Offense
Memphis arrives in Memphis hoping to bounce back after losses to UAB, Tulane, and most recently East Carolina (31-27) on November 15. The Tigers sit at 4-3 in conference play with no path to the championship game but can still impact Navy’s playoff hopes with a victory tonight.
Brendon Lewis directs the Memphis offense with 2,395 passing yards and 13 touchdowns with just 6 interceptions. Lewis also runs for 677 yards and 9 touchdowns. The Tigers receive strong contributions from running back Sutton Smith (644 rushing yards, 7 TDs) and receiver Cortez Braham Jr. (59 catches, 824 yards, 7 TDs).
Memphis defense is led by linebacker Sam Brumfield with 13 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks. The Tigers rank 5th in college football in red zone offense and have excellent special teams with 21st rankings in kickoff return defense. Memphis is 3.5-point favorites against Navy in this matchup.
Navy Defense Eyes Strong Defensive Performance Against Prolific Tigers Offense
Defensive tackle Landon Robinson is a semifinalist for the Outland Trophy and ranks 5th among FBS pass-rushing interior linemen with a 83.6 grade from PFF. Robinson also earned Bednarik Award semifinalist honors for nation’s most outstanding defender.
Navy allows just 3.0 tackles for loss per game, the second-fewest in the country. The Midshipmen have permitted only 6 sacks this season, tied for third-fewest in the nation. Navy’s defense, combined with their historic rushing attack, provides a balanced approach against Memphis’ high-scoring offense.
What’s At Stake in the American Conference Championship Race?
Navy clinches at least a tie for first place in the regular season standings with a win tonight. However, the pathway to the American Conference Championship Game on December 5 depends on multiple factors including CFP rankings and how Tulane fares against Charlotte and North Texas performs against Temple.
The top-seeded team will host the championship game at 8:00 p.m. ET on ABC. Navy’s Class of 2026 seniors have compiled 27 wins with a 20-11 record in conference play, the most wins by a Navy senior class since 2020. A conference championship win this week would tie the class with the most conference victories in school history.
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