Air Force secured a 14-9 victory over Navy on Saturday in the opening game of the round-robin Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy competition held at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The win improves Air Force’s record to 3-1, while Navy falls to 1-3. Army, the third team in the series, has yet to play its first game.

Air Force took an early lead and maintained control throughout the contest. Running back Liam Szarka was the key contributor, rushing for two touchdowns. His first score came on a one-yard run that capped a methodical 14-play, 65-yard drive lasting nearly eight minutes. Szarka extended the lead with an eight-yard touchdown run near the end of the first half, following a critical fourth-down 23-yard completion to Simon Kibbee. That sequence put the Falcons ahead 14-3.

Navy’s scoring came through special teams and a significant passing play. Kicker Nolan Bartley made a field goal, and quarterback Jackson Gutierrez connected on a 68-yard pass to wide receiver Truman Brasfield with seven minutes remaining in the third quarter. Navy’s attempt at a two-point conversion failed, leaving the Midshipmen trailing by five points.

The Navy offense struggled to maintain momentum in the latter stages of the game. The Midshipmen’s final four possessions ended with a fumble followed by three short drives totaling just 19 yards. Navy converted only one of 11 third-down attempts.

Szarka finished with 81 rushing yards and added 82 passing yards, though he was intercepted twice during the game. Gutierrez threw for 140 yards for Navy.

The game also featured a pregame visit from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who addressed the Air Force cadets before kickoff. The Falcons now lead the all-time series against Navy 35-24.

Air Force will face Army on Nov. 7, with Navy scheduled to meet Army on Dec. 12 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy remains open, with the next matchups critical to determining the season’s winner.