ANNAPOLIS, Md.---Navy (1-0) rushed for 464 yards and six touchdowns, while holding VMI (0-1) to 15 yards rushing on 22 attempts as the Mids blew out the Keydets 52-7 in front of 30,014 fans at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in the season opener for both teams.

The 464 yards rushing by Navy are the most in a game since 2018 when the Mids rushed for 484 yards against Lehigh, while the 15 rushing yards allowed are the seventh fewest since 1995.

"Obviously, it was good to get a win," said Navy head coach Brian Newberry.  "One of our goals was to win the opener.  Historically, when we do that, we have had some pretty good seasons.  I thought there were some really good things out there, but like your first game of the year, we were a little sloppy.  There are things we need to clean up moving forward."

"I am pleased with giving up just 15 yards rushing," continued Newberry.  "That's where it all starts for us.  When we do that (stop the run), we are pretty good.  What I wasn't pleased with was they converted several third-down-and-long situations.  We weren't perfect in our coverage.  Good lessons learned."

Navy took its first possession of the season and marched methodically down the field with sophomore snipe Michael Barrow scoring his first-career touchdown on his first-career carry from seven yards out.

Navy exploded for 21 points in the second quarter with senior snipe Eli Heidenreich scoring on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Blake Horvath on fourth and goal and then running one in from four yards out to make it 28-0.  It was the first time in Heidenreich's career that he scored a rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown pass in the same game. Heidenreich now has 11-career touchdown catches, just two off the school record set by Rob Taylor and Phil McConkey.

"Eli is a weapon," said Newberry. "There are so many things you can do with him.  You like to have one of him at wideout, one at snipe and one at running back.  He is super talented and we have to find ways to continue getting him the football."

"I think the biggest thing with coach (Drew) Cronic is the way he is getting me the ball," said Heidenreich.  "We are getting creative, spreading it out and making it hard on the defense.  I do attribute a lot to him.  He is setting me up the right way."

Alex Tecza also had a six-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, marking the sixth time in their careers that Tecza and Heidenreich scored a touchdown in the same game.

Navy tacked on 24 more points in the second half with backup quarterback Braxton Woodson putting on a show.  Woodson rushed for 180 yards and two touchdowns on seven carries with rushing touchdowns of 74 and 68 yards.

Tecza finished with 89 yards on 15 carries, while Heidenreich carried the ball nine times for 70 yards and caught six passes for 65 yards. 

Senior quarterback Blake Horvath was efficient, completing six of his seven passes for 66 yards and a touchdown while playing in just the first half. 

"This is the best I have felt after a game (after playing just the first half)," said Horvath.  "There was a funny tweet talking about Ohio State and their quarterback just needing to drive the Lamborghini; he doesn't need to press the gas, he just needs to control it.  That's sort of how it was today.  I didn't need to do much.  These guys were electric."

Senior outside linebacker Jaxson Campbell, sophomore linebacker MarcAnthony Parker, junior defensive tackle Griffen Willis and senior outside linebacker Luke Pirris finished with 5 tackles each.  Senior nose guard Landon Robinson finished with two sacks as the Mids finished with five as a team.

Navy will jump into conference play next Saturday as the Mids play host to UAB (1-0) in a 3:30 PM contest at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.