COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — Navy's defense held Air Force scoreless in the second half and forced two turnovers, but the Midshipmen could not overcome a pair of second-quarter touchdowns as the Falcons defeated Navy 14-9 Saturday afternoon before 39,441 at Falcon Stadium.
The loss was Navy's third straight and dropped the Mids to 1-3 on the season, while Air Force improved to 3-1. It marked Navy's first three-game losing streak since 2021 and gave Air Force a 35-24 advantage in the all-time series.
Navy was held to 253 yards of total offense, including 110 on the ground, while Air Force finished with 270 total yards and 188 rushing. The 110 rushing yards snapped Navy's streak of 19 consecutive games with at least 170 yards on the ground, which had been the longest active streak in the FBS.
The Mids particularly struggled on third down, converting just one of 11 opportunities. Air Force converted nine of 18 and controlled the ball for 36:01 compared with Navy's 23:59.
After a scoreless opening quarter, Air Force took a 7-0 lead on a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Liam Szarka with 9:11 remaining in the second quarter. The touchdown capped a 14-play, 65-yard drive that consumed 7:51.
Navy answered with its best sustained drive of the first half, moving 63 yards in nine plays before freshman Nolan Bartley kicked a 29-yard field goal with 2:21 remaining to pull the Mids within 7-3.
Air Force responded immediately, marching 75 yards in nine plays in just 1:48. Szarka finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds remaining, sending the Falcons into halftime with a 14-3 advantage
Navy's defense kept the Mids in the game throughout the second half and the offense finally broke through with the biggest play of the afternoon.
Taking over at its own 10-yard line with 8:47 remaining in the third quarter, Navy needed only four plays to go 90 yards. Junior quarterback Jackson Gutierrez connected with freshman wide receiver Truman Brasfield for a 68-yard touchdown with 6:59 left in the quarter, cutting the Air Force lead to 14-9. Navy's two-point conversion attempt failed.
The touchdown was Navy's longest scoring play of the season and the first collegiate touchdown for Brasfield, who entered the game with just one career reception.
Navy appeared to seize the momentum again late in the third quarter when senior safety Matt Seliga intercepted Szarka at the Navy 25 and returned the ball 12 yards. The Mids moved 22 yards in three plays to the Air Force 41 before Vic Listorti fumbled, with the Falcons recovering with 44 seconds left in the quarter.
The defense immediately gave Navy another opportunity. Senior linebacker Coleman Cauley stopped Rocco Conti for no yards on fourth-and-2, giving the Mids possession at the Air Force 49 with 14:05 remaining.
Navy could not capitalize, gaining three yards before punting. The Mids had two more possessions in the fourth quarter but could not mount a scoring drive. Their final opportunity began at their own 11 with 3:59 remaining. Navy picked up its first third-down conversion of the game to keep the drive alive, but the possession stalled at the Navy 13 and the Mids punted with 1:58 remaining.
Air Force picked up the first down it needed on its final possession and ran out the clock.
Gutierrez completed seven of 15 passes for a career-high 140 yards and a touchdown while rushing 12 times for 33 yards. Michael Barrow led Navy on the ground with 44 yards on nine carries, while Luke Hutchison caught three passes for a season-high 48 yards. Brasfield's lone reception was the 68-yard touchdown.
Szarka rushed 25 times for 81 yards and both Air Force touchdowns while completing six of 11 passes for 82 yards with two interceptions.
Navy's defense turned in its strongest second half of the season, shutting out Air Force after intermission. It marked the first time the Mids had held an opponent scoreless in the second half since their 28-17 victory over Memphis on Nov. 27, 2025. Navy recorded five of its targeted "Get 6" plays — two interceptions, two three-and-outs and a fourth-down stop — its most in a game this season.
Seliga, making his first collegiate start, led Navy with a career-high 12 tackles, a tackle for loss and his first career interception. Cauley tied his career high with 11 tackles, including nine solo stops, while Philip Hamilton intercepted Szarka on Air Force's opening possession for his first interception of the season and fourth of his career.
Navy returns home for the first time in 35 days next Saturday when they play host to Tulsa (3-2). Kickoff is set for 3:30 PM.
