Navy offensive coordinator Drew Cronic said last week he was going to operate as though starting quarterback Blake Horvath would not be available to play against East Carolina.
Less than 48 hours from Friday’s noon kickoff, Cronic sounded very much the same. Asked after practice on Wednesday afternoon if Horvath would be able to go, Cronic was noncommittal.
“We’ll see. I think it could go either way,” he said. “How’s he going to feel come Friday? You never want to put a kid in a bad situation, so it really is whether Blake can play at a level he’s comfortable with, that we’re comfortable with.”
Horvath has been dealing with a rib injury ever since the Alabama-Birmingham game on Sept. 28. He aggravated the injury, which also causes back spasms, early in the loss to Tulane on Nov. 16.
With two bye weeks sandwiched around Friday’s game at East Carolina, the coaching staff had an opportunity to give Horvath three full weeks off to heal up in advance of the Dec. 14 showdown against archrival Army.
“Every game is important in my mind. I get that Army is a huge game. That is not lost on me,” he said when asked if the Commanders-in-Cheif’s Trophy being on the line in the Army game factored into the decision. “I think you make decisions based on what is best for the young man. Can he play without putting himself in jeopardy?”
Also speaking following Wednesday’s walk-through practice, Horvath called the rib injury “nagging” and said he’s been getting treatment in the training room during lunch period every day for the past two months.
“It’s just something I have to deal with. I’ve been working with the training staff to make sure I’m staying on top of things,” he said.
Horvath also would not give away his status for Friday’s game, saying “you’re always hoping you can help out the team. We’ll see what goes on there.”
Throughout preseason camp, the Navy coaching staff said there was little separation between Horvath and Braxton Woodson. Horvath won the starting job and was the catalyst as Navy’s newly-installed Wing-T offense posted impressive numbers through six games. The 6-foot-2, 195-pound junior has rushed for team highs of 895 yards and 13 touchdowns, passed for another 1,154 yards and 11 scores.
Woodson has appeared in nine games this season, mostly in mop-up duty after the result had already been decided. Navy was usually trying to run out the clock and he did not do much more than handoff.
Tulane marked the first time this season that Woodson was inserted into a game that was still in doubt. He was unable to jump-start an offense that was already struggling, finishing with 24 rushing yards on 13 carries and completing just 3 of 10 passes for 13 yards.
Afterward, head coach Brian Newberry expressed disappointment in Woodson’s performance and said he “got to be able to take charge of the offense.”
“I expect more out of Braxton,” Newberry added.
In an interesting development, the Navy quarterback depth chart was changed to read Blake Horvath or Braxton Woodson or Jackson Gutierrez, an indication Woodson was no longer the clear-cut backup ahead of the plebe who has been listed No. 3 most of the season.
Cronic indicated that Woodson and Gutierrez could both play if Horvath is held out of Friday’s game.
“We’ve been working hard to get the other two guys ready to go. Whoever goes in there has to step up and play well. I’ve seen enough of those other two guys to believe they are very capable,” Cronic said.
Woodson is the more experienced option, playing in 13 collegiate games with one start, while Gutierrez has yet to take a varsity snap.
Cronic said getting thrust into the Tulane game against one of the best defenses in the country was not an ideal situation for Woodson. Having two weeks to prepare for the prospect of starting against East Carolina gave the 6-foot-3, 215-pounds sophomore plenty of time to get in the proper mindset.
“I’ve seen a lot of good things from Braxton this week in practice. I believe in Braxton and know we can win with him. He just needs to go out and do it in a game,” Cronic said.
Horvath echoed those sentiments and noted that Woodson has hit 22 MPH on the Catapult machine while running in practice to complement his prototypical size for a Division I quarterback and strong throwing arm.
“I think Braxton is one of the physically gifted guys on this team. I wish I had the measurables he does,” Horvath said. “Of course we can win with Braxton. Navy fans should not worry. He is very capable of operating this offense. Braxton just has to believe in himself and play with confidence.”
Woodson expressed confidence in his abilities and seemed eager to show Navy football fans he can get the job done. His lone start last season did not go well as Air Force limited Navy to 124 total yards in a 17-6 victory.
“I feel prepared. Coach Cronic has said throughout the season there is going to be a moment in time when I need to step up and this week might be that chance. I just need to be ready and I feel like I am,” Woodson said. “I know that I am able to go out there and help us win a football game.”
Woodson seemed somewhat tentative during the Tulane game, prompting some observers to wonder how comfortable and confident he is in the Wing-T attack. Cronic has said several times this season he would run the base offense as usual with Woodson while tailoring the play sheet to suit his strengths.
“I feel very comfortable with this offense. Coach Cronic has done a very good job of making sure we know everything we need to know,” Woodson said. “Coach Cronic knows what I’m able to do. I’m ready to go out and prove what I’m capable of doing.”
Two other plebes, Tre Jones and Charles Robinson, were battling for the third spot on the depth chart early in August preseason camp. Jones was listed No. 3 through three games, but was replaced by Gutierrez in late September.
Gutierrez was the District 29, Class 6A Offensive Most Valuable Player as a senior at John Jay High in San Antonio, Texas. He passed for 1,722 yards and 15 touchdowns, rushed for 1,089 yards and 19 scores during the 2023 season while playing for his father.
“I’m really excited about Jackson. His father is a head coach so he’s grown up around football,” said Cronic, who was asked if Gutierrez is ready for prime time.
“Ask me on Friday night. Some kids rise up. You don’t really know for sure until you throw them out there,” he said.
Have a news tip? Contact Bill Wagner at bwagner@capgaznews.com, 443-534-0102 and x.com/@BWagner_CapGaz.
Navy at East Carolina
Friday, noon
TV: ESPN
Radio: 1430 AM
Line: Navy by 1