ANNAPOLIS, Md. — The CrabCake Bowl was billed as a meeting between two Maryland programs with plenty of local ties, but Navy quickly made it clear that Saturday’s in-state matchup belonged to the Midshipmen.
With more than 70 players between the two rosters calling Maryland home, the matchup carried plenty of regional pride. Towson, located roughly 45 minutes from Annapolis, entered hoping to make the short trip worthwhile.
Instead, Navy’s ground attack proved overwhelming.
The Midshipmen scored on their first two possessions, established control early and never surrendered it, cruising to a 42-15 victory over Towson in Navy’s season opener Saturday.
Quarterback Braxton Woodson was the centerpiece of Navy’s dominant rushing attack, carrying the ball 23 times for 200 yards and three touchdowns. His performance immediately puts him among the nation’s most intriguing early-season quarterbacks and could make him a player to watch as the season unfolds.
Navy Strikes First
Towson struggled to generate any offensive momentum during the opening quarter, while Navy looked like a team that had simply picked up where it left off.
Woodson broke loose for a 38-yard touchdown run on Navy’s opening possession, capping a 75-yard drive that took just over three minutes.
The Midshipmen weren’t finished.
Vic Listorti followed with a 35-yard touchdown run before the end of the first quarter, giving Navy a commanding 14-0 advantage.
Navy’s offensive balance came from an old-fashioned source: its running game. The Midshipmen finished with 506 rushing yards, with 14 different players recording at least one carry.
Listorti finished with 81 yards on 11 attempts, while backup quarterback Jackson Gutierrez contributed 31 rushing yards and two touchdowns.
Towson Finds an Answer
After a sluggish first quarter, Towson finally found some life through the passing game.
Sophomore quarterback Andrew Indorf connected with wide receiver Aaron Enterline for a 48-yard touchdown early in the second quarter, immediately cutting Navy’s lead to 14-6.
Navy answered before the Tigers could build any momentum.
Gutierrez powered into the end zone on a short touchdown run to push the Midshipmen’s advantage back to 21-6.
Towson again responded through the air.
Indorf found Jacob Zollar for a 30-yard touchdown, bringing the Tigers within 21-12 midway through the second quarter.
Indorf was highly efficient despite facing Navy’s relentless rushing attack, completing 13 of 18 passes for 208 yards.
But every time Towson appeared ready to make things interesting, Navy had another answer.
Woodson added another touchdown run before halftime, sending the Midshipmen into the locker room with a 28-12 lead.
Navy Pulls Away After Halftime
The second half offered little relief for Towson.
Navy continued pounding away on the ground, wearing down the Tigers’ defense and steadily expanding its advantage.
The Midshipmen added 14 more points after halftime while holding Towson to just three points.
Woodson added another touchdown run in the fourth quarter, completing a three-touchdown performance that showcased his explosiveness and ability to control a game with his legs.
For Navy, it was the kind of performance that could set the tone for the remainder of the season.
Woodson Emerges as One to Watch
Woodson entered the season with limited starting experience, having made only one start in each of his previous three seasons.
Against Towson, however, he looked comfortable in the spotlight.
His 200 rushing yards were the headline number, but his ability to consistently break through the first level of the defense made him the engine of Navy’s offense.
If Woodson continues producing at this level, don’t be surprised if his name becomes part of the national conversation later in the season.
He could be a legitimate dark-horse candidate to find himself in New York City in December.
The Takeaway
Navy’s season couldn’t have started much better.
The Midshipmen overwhelmed Towson on the ground, producing 506 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns while getting contributions from throughout the roster.
Towson showed flashes offensively, particularly through Indorf’s passing game, but the Tigers couldn’t match Navy’s physicality for four quarters.
The result gives Navy an impressive opening-day victory and extends a notable trend: the Midshipmen have advanced to a bowl game in each of the previous six seasons in which they won their season opener.
Navy is now 1-0.
Towson falls to 0-2 and will face another major challenge next week when the Tigers travel to Columbia, South Carolina, to take on an SEC opponent.
What’s Next?
Navy begins a month-long stretch away from Annapolis next Saturday when the Midshipmen travel to Florida Atlantic.
Towson heads to South Carolina for a matchup against an SEC opponent, looking to bounce back from its second loss of the season.
For Navy, Saturday was more than just an opening-day victory. It was a statement from Woodson and a rushing attack that could make the Midshipmen a team worth watching throughout the fall.
