Blake Horvath injury update: Navy QB will miss Notre Dame game

As Notre Dame looks to continue on its playoff quest with a Saturday night game against Navy, it’ll do so while facing a backup quarterback. Midshipmen starter Blake Horvath has been ruled out for the game, according to a report from On3’s Brett McMurphy.

McMurphy reports that an upper body injury Horvath suffered last week against North Texas will keep him out. Braxton Woodson, who earned a win over East Carolina last year in his lone career start, will get the nod instead.

Horvath has been lights out for the Midshipmen this season and would have provided a stiff test for Notre Dame. However, he had a tough go of it last time out against North Texas.

In suffering its first defeat of the season, Navy saw Horvath picked off twice while throwing for only 80 yards in the game. That resulted in a 31-17 loss, the team’s first of the year.

Horvath, though, has been excellent throughout the season. He has thrown for 1,143 yards and seven touchdowns, against five interceptions. He has also run for 926 yards and 13 scores, providing one of the best dual-threat presences in the country.

Now, Notre Dame will face the backup. Woodson has gone 4-of-8 passing for 49 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions this season. He has also run for 210 yards and three scores.

Notre Dame gets warning from Nick Saban

Nick Saban issued a warning to Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame Saturday as the Irish prepare to play Navy. The Midshipmen are 7-1 this season, lead the AAC and are trying to fight for their own College Football Playoff spot.

As it stands, Notre Dame is a massive 28-point favorite over Navy, per BetMGM. But don’t let that fool you.

Saban said option offenses are really tough to defend if you’re not prepared. ESPN’s Kirk Herbstreit revealed Freeman and the Irish were preparing back in the spring, but Navy is still going to bring it. Of course, Saban’s warning came before the news that Horvath would be out.

“I would just say to Notre Dame, watch out,” Saban said on College GameDay. “We played Georgia Southern, I think it was 2011 or 2012, we had the No. 1 team, great defensive team, in the country. Given up just over 300 yards for 10 games. Played these guys in the 11th game of the year. They rushed for over 300 yards in that game. They were cutting our guys. We had all NFL draft pick guys. They’re tapping out. They didn’t want to play against that offense, man.

“But I’m telling you, it can be if you don’t have a great scheme and your players don’t understand it, and you don’t spend a significant enough time preparing for it, you can get gassed by an option offense. And you know, this Blake Horvath guy’s pretty damn good at it.”

On3’s Nick Kosko also contributed to this report.