Dashae Peele scored two touchdowns after returning interceptions, and Navy's Alex Tecza scored three first-quarter scores. The No. 25-ranked Midshipmen thrashed the turnover-prone Charlotte 49ers, 51-17, in American Athletic Conference play in Annapolis.

Tecza, a fullback, rushed for 2 scores and added a TD receiving as 16-point Navy (6-0 AAC, 4-0) scored 24 in the first 12 minutes of the game.

Tecza rushed 68 yards in eight carries, and caught a pass for 46 yards.

Blake Horvath was 7 of 13 and scored three touchdowns.

The Midshipmen also created five other turnovers in addition to Peele’s two pick sixes. Linebacker Kyle Jacob had an interception, and recovered a fumble.

For the first time in 1979, the Midshipmen began their season with six consecutive victories.

Charlotte (3-4 and 2-1) lost for the first game in three. Max Brown, their starting quarterback, completed only 7 of 18 passes, for 152 yard, with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Trexler Ivey, the backup quarterback, also threw an interception.

Tecza was deployed to rip through the defense of the visiting team early.

Horvath finished a 73 yard drive by hitting Tecza with a 46 yard strike on a wheel-route 1:53 in to the match.

Jacob intercepted Brown at the 17 yard line, after Tecza scored for the second consecutive time on a 12 yard run. Tecza made it 21-0 with a 2-yard run.

Nathan Kirkwood scored from 22 yards after Jacob recovered his fumble. The score was 24-0.

The 49ers committed their third turnover in the first quarter on their fourth possession when Rayuan Lane III picked up Brown, who was in Charlotte territory. There were 1:42 remaining.

Navy changed the scoreboard again, as Cody Howard caught an 11-yard Horvath pass less than two minutes after the start of the second half.

Peele extended the lead to 38-0 after stepping in front Ivey's 61-yard pass.

Charlotte finally broke through the ice with Stephen Rusnak's 39-yard field goal kick. There were 8:49 minutes left in the first half. Brown returned to the field and fired a TD pass of 20 yards to O'Mega Blake, bringing the score at halftime to 38-10.

Horvath's 19-yard touchdown pass to Brandon Chatman was answered by Brown with a 13-yard strike to Duane Jr.

Peele took another interception 84 yards back, stomping over the goalline to score the final margin of 34 points.

Field Level Media

(source: Reuters)