ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Blake Horvath ran for two touchdowns and Navy’s defense controlled the line of scrimmage as the Midshipmen defeated Rice 21-13 on Saturday at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.

Horvath capped a 75-yard opening drive with a 2-yard keeper and added an 8-yard score early in the second quarter as Navy (4-0, 3-0 American) built a 14-0 halftime lead. Luke Hutchison also scored on a 2-yard run in the first quarter, and Navy finished with 283 rushing yards, led by Horvath’s 110 and Alex Tecza’s 104 .

Rice (3-2, 1-1) got on the board late in the third quarter with Enock Gota’s 35-yard field goal and closed within 21-10 on Chase Jenkins’ 3-yard touchdown pass to Drayden Dickmann with 7:05 left. Gota added a 44-yarder in the final minute, but Navy recovered the ensuing onside kick to seal it.

The Owls managed just 120 rushing yards against Navy’s front, though Jenkins threw for 114 yards without an interception. Quinton Jackson led Rice with 60 rushing yards, while Dickmann caught three passes for 45 yards and the lone touchdown .

Marc-Antony Parker paced Navy’s defense with 13 tackles, two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry.