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Navy vs Air Force preview: 5 essential keys to a tough test

Dustin Judge
Navy vs Air Force preview: Navy Midshipmen defenders react during a 2025 game against Army

Navy visits Air Force at noon ET Saturday (CBS) in the opening leg of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy race, and this Navy vs Air Force preview covers the five storylines that matter most at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs.

Navy vs Air Force preview: time, TV and records

Saturday, Oct. 3, is the 59th meeting between the schools. Kickoff is 12 p.m. ET (10 a.m. MT) at Falcon Stadium, and CBS has the broadcast. Air Force is 2-1 and 1-1 in the Mountain West, according to the Falcons’ game recap. Navy is 1-2 and 0-2 in American Conference play, per the Midshipmen’s game notes.

1. Is Braxton Woodson healthy?

Woodson, a senior, is averaging 98.7 rushing yards per game and 8.46 yards per carry, fourth nationally, according to Navy. CBS Sports reports he is questionable with an ankle sprain suffered in Week 2. Junior Jackson Gutierrez made his first career start against Florida Atlantic and ran for 134 yards on 34 carries.

2. Can Air Force keep running like it did at Nevada?

The Falcons beat Nevada 36-33 in double overtime Sept. 26 in Reno. Air Force gained 455 yards, 363 of them rushing. Quarterback Liam Szarka set career highs with 171 rushing yards on 33 carries, and Rocco Conti’s 7-yard touchdown run won it in the second overtime.

3. Navy has won the last two meetings

Air Force leads the all-time series 34-24, but Navy won 34-31 last season in Annapolis. The Falcons’ last win in the series came in 2023, and they are winless in their last five service-academy games, CBS Sports reports. Air Force has not held the trophy since 2022, KKTV noted.

4. Two run-first offenses

Both teams average more than 330 rushing yards per game, tied for second nationally, KKTV reported. Navy has rushed for at least 170 yards in 19 straight games, the longest active streak in the FBS, per its game notes.

5. Navy’s road test

Navy opened with a 42-15 win over Towson, then lost to Florida Atlantic by eight and UAB by four. It is the Midshipmen’s first season with three straight road games to open since 1997, the school said.

For more college football coverage, see our look at the 24-team CFP format debate and the North Texas-Tulsa overtime thriller.

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.