Ross Tucker of CBS: 'Best Navy team I've seen in a long time'
SOUTH BEND — Count Ross Tucker among the growing legion of believers in this year’s Navy football team.
Tucker, the former NFL offensive lineman who now works as a game analyst for CBS Sports, got an in-person look at the 24th-ranked Midshipmen (6-0) in their 34-7 win at Air Force to start the month.
“It’s the best Navy team I’ve seen in a long time,” Tucker said this week in a phone interview. “They’re like legit good, and I know Army is too. Notre Dame picked the wrong year to play Navy and Army, man.”
Also unbeaten, No. 23 Army (7-0) will face the 11th-ranked Irish on Nov. 23 at Yankee Stadium.
This year marks the first time since 1960 that both Army and Navy football have been ranked at the same time in the Associated Press poll. Navy’s offense, under first-year coordinator Drew Cronic, ranks fourth nationally at 44.8 points per game.
“I think he’s got some Wing-T elements in there,” Tucker said. “What makes them difficult to defend is they’re just able to throw the ball so much better than service academies usually can. I’m amazed.”
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Junior quarterback Blake Horvath was headed to Division II Ashland (Ohio) University before receiving a U.S. Naval Academy appointment.
“I’m shocked because he is the real deal,” Tucker said. “When he runs, his GPS gets up to 21 mph. He can really run and he’s a good passer. … Every five to 10 years, it feels like Navy has one of these quarterbacks that is a real difference maker, usually with their legs. But this guy, it’s with his legs and his arm.”
Horvath, who didn’t play in last year’s 42-3 loss to Notre Dame in Dublin, Ireland, leads the nation’s quarterbacks at 7.9 yards per carry. His 12.3 yards per pass attempt would also lead the FBS level if he had enough attempts to qualify.
Tucker also was impressed with a pair of juniors from Mt. Lebanon High School in Pittsburgh: fullback Alex Tecza (6.2 yards per carry) and wingback Eli Heidenreich, who leads Navy with 23 receptions for 485 yards and five touchdowns.
“They have a unique combination,” Tucker said. “To stop the triple option and the run game, you almost have to be in man-to-man coverage. There is no zone. Well, then, what happens? They have a kid like Heidenreich that can run routes like he can, you’re just really in trouble.”
At 6-foot, 201 pounds, Heidenrich carried just three times for 12 yards against Notre Dame last season. He did not see action in 2022.
“It’s usually going to be a linebacker or a safety at best that’s covering him,” Tucker said, “and he’s probably going to beat him. They’ve had so many big plays.”
Mike Berardino covers Notre Dame football for the South Bend Tribune and NDInsider.com Follow him on social media @MikeBerardino.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Ross Tucker shares Navy impressions ahead of Notre Dame football meeting
