The Air Force Falcons emerged as the lone service academy winner in Week 5, defeating the Navy Midshipmen 14-9 in the opening matchup of the 2026 chase for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy on Saturday afternoon. Later that evening, the Army Black Knights sustained a 31-29 road loss to the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.
All three academies found themselves in tightly contested games, with Air Force holding off Navy after building an early lead and Army mounting a late rally that came up just short in Ruston. The Falcons’ victory also gave them the early advantage in the three-way battle for the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy.
Air Force Downs Navy in Colorado Springs
On a beautiful 70-degree day in Colorado Springs, Air Force (3-1, 1-1 Mountain West Conference) knocked off Navy (1-3, 0-2 American).
A B-2 Stealth Bomber flyover before kickoff fired up the full house at Falcon Stadium, which included Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Air Force wore its B-21 Air Power Legacy Series uniforms in honor of the big game.
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Strong performances from quarterback Liam Szarka and the Air Force defense propelled the home side to victory. In the second quarter, Szarka attacked Navy’s defense with his arms and legs, helping set up both scoring drives with big passes. He led the Falcons in rushing with 81 yards on 25 carries and scored the team’s only two touchdowns. Szarka scored on a 1-yard run with 9 minutes, 11 seconds to go in the second quarter and then again on an 8-yard scamper 33 seconds before halftime. He added 82 yards through the air, going 6-for-11 with two interceptions.
Szarka appeared to injure his right leg late in the third quarter. He exited the injury tent quickly, with backup Evan Medders taking a snap at the outset of the fourth quarter. Szarka returned to finish the game.
Air Force controlled the tempo, outrushing Navy 188-110 and holding the ball for 36:01 compared with 23:59 for the Midshipmen. The Falcons held a 17-11 advantage in first downs.
Air Force was also far more effective at sustaining drives, converting nine of 18 third-down attempts while Navy finished just 1-for-11. Despite the disparity in time of possession, the Falcons held only a 270-253 advantage in total yards.
Navy welcomed back senior quarterback Braxton Woodson after he was limited to one snap the previous week while dealing with ankle soreness. Woodson went 1-for-3 for 3 yards, while Jackson Gutierrez handled most of the workload, completing 7 of 15 passes for 140 yards. His 68-yard touchdown pass to Truman Brasfield in the third quarter cut Air Force’s lead to 14-9.
Navy’s defense kept the Midshipmen within striking distance throughout the afternoon. With the Mids shorthanded in the secondary, junior safety Phillip Hamilton moved to cornerback and intercepted Szarka on Air Force’s opening possession. Senior safety Matthew Seliga added a career-high 12 tackles and his first career interception before leaving with an injury in the fourth quarter.
Air Force’s defense came up big when Navy had one final opportunity late in the fourth quarter. A play-clock violation backed up the Midshipmen with 2:13 remaining before Max Mustell sacked Gutierrez and the Falcons broke up a deep pass attempt. Navy punted, allowing Air Force to take possession with 1:58 remaining and run out the clock.
Both teams stood together postgame, shoulder to shoulder, to sing both sides’ alma maters, the ultimate sign of respect that follows service academy football matchups.
Air Force can claim the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy outright with a victory against Army on November 7 in West Point, New York.
Army Stumbles at Louisiana Tech
Army (2-2, 1-1 American) fell to Louisiana Tech (2-2) of the Sun Belt Conference 31-29 at Joe Aillet Stadium in Ruston on Saturday night.
Army struggled to slow a Louisiana Tech offense that gained 503 yards and averaged 8.8 yards per play. The Bulldogs produced more than 240 yards both rushing and passing.
The Black Knights, clad in their gold helmets, white pants, and white jerseys, attempted a late-game rally that brought them within two. Ultimately, their efforts were thwarted when an onside-kick attempt with just more than a minute left to play went out of bounds.
Louisiana Tech senior quarterback Trey Kukuk completed 16 of 22 passes for 185 yards and rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Marcus Calwise Jr., out of the Wildcat, also threw a 74-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter that gave Louisiana Tech a 22-15 lead.
Second-year running back Dylone Brooks led the Bulldogs in both rushing and receiving yards with 119 on seven carries and 81 on two receptions. He scored on a 72-yard run in the second quarter before hauling in Calwise’s 74-yard touchdown pass in the third.
Army quarterback Cale Hellums has done most of his damage with his legs this season, but against Louisiana Tech, the senior surpassed 100 passing yards for the first time in 2026. He went 12-for-24 for 151 yards, one touchdown, and an interception. He added 55 rushing yards and a touchdown. Both scores came in the fourth quarter. His rushing score with 13:11 to go cut the Bulldogs’ lead to 28-22, and his pass to tight end Parker Poloskey with 1:07 left completed the scoring.
Sophomore running back Samari Howard turned in a career performance despite the loss. Howard rushed for a career-high 158 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries, averaging 13.2 yards per attempt. A 54-yard touchdown run on Army’s first possession of the third quarter highlighted his night. Howard finished with 187 all-purpose yards and helped lead the Black Knights’ rushing attack to 270 yards.
The Cadets finished with 421 total yards and 25 first downs while converting seven of 14 third-down attempts.
Looking Ahead to This Weekend
Tulsa at Navy
Navy will return to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium to host Tulsa (3-2, 0-1 American) at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday on CBS Sports Network. No. 23 Navy defeated Tulsa 42-23 last season behind stars Blake Horvath, Eli Heidenreich, and Alex Tecza, but the Mids will enter this year’s matchup with a much different-looking offense.
Tulsa starter Baylor Hayes has completed 58 of 96 passes for 564 yards, four touchdowns, and one interception in three appearances. After missing two games with a knee injury, Hayes threw for 211 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-44 overtime loss to North Texas. Graduate transfer Dexter Williams II started twice in his absence and has thrown for 340 yards and three touchdowns without an interception.
Other players to watch for Tulsa include running back Damari Alston (292 yards, 68 carries, five touchdowns), wide receiver Oran Singleton Jr. (306 yards, 26 catches, two TDs), and linebacker Chris Thompson Jr. (49 tackles, one fumble recovery).
Air Force at Northern Illinois
Air Force will travel to Huskie Stadium in DeKalb for a 7:30 p.m. Saturday against Northern Illinois (0-4). The Mountain West matchup will air on CBS Sports Network. It will be the first meeting between the schools, Northern Illinois’ Mountain West debut, and the Huskies’ 119th homecoming.
QB Taron Dickens (84-of-120 passing, 837 yards, three TDs), leads the Huskies, who had a bye last weekend. His top target, DeAree Rogers, has 31 catches for 252 yards and two touchdowns, while running back Telly Johnson Jr. leads NIU with 253 rushing yards and two scores. Safety Kyon Conyers (27 tackles, one INT) leads the Huskies’ defense.
Tulane at Army
Coming off a tough road loss, Army must now prepare for the Tulane Green Wave (2-2), who will head east for a noon ET Saturday kickoff in the Black Knights’ first conference home game of the season. Last season, No. 20 Tulane defeated Army 24-17 in New Orleans. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the game.
Junior quarterback Kadin Semonza leads the Green Wave, throwing for 646 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He has also been sacked 13 times through four games. Tulane’s ground attack features Maurice Turner and Jaylin Lucas, who have combined for 515 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Heading into Week 6, wide receiver Destyn Hill has 169 receiving yards on 12 catches and a touchdown.
Army’s biggest opportunity could come on the ground. Tulane has allowed 764 rushing yards and seven touchdowns through four games, with opponents averaging 191 yards per game and 4.8 yards per carry.
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