Jackson Gutierrez Gets 1st Navy Start At UAB On Sept. 25

This one went down to the wire on Friday afternoon. Only hours before Navy's 7 p.m. ET kickoff in Birmingham, Brian Newberry still hadn't named a quarterback. Braxton Woodson, the senior who has run this offense all year, hurt his ankle 2 weeks ago at FAU. The other option was Jackson Gutierrez, a junior who had never started a college game.

Brett McMurphy

@Brett_McMurphy

Navy remains undecided on its starting QB tonight at UAB. Coach Brian Newberry said it's a game-time decision b/w starter Braxton Woodson, injured 2 weeks ago at FAU, or back-up QB Jackson Gutierrez, who would be making his 1st career start

About 25 minutes later the game-time decision was a lot less of a mystery. A source told On3 that Gutierrez was expected to get the start. Minutes after that, ESPN's Pete Thamel had the same news, plus the part that matters most for Woodson: he isn't expected to play but could be available in an emergency role.

Pete Thamel

@PeteThamel

Sources: Navy is expected to start back-up quarterback Jackson Gutierrez at quarterback at UAB tonight. Starting quarterback Braxton Woodson, who is recovering from an ankle injury, isn’t expected to play. He could be available in an emergency role.

Losing Woodson is a massive hit for this offense. According to Navy's game notes, he came in averaging 148 rushing yards per game, 4th in the country among all players and 1st among quarterbacks. His 8.46 yards per carry also led every QB in the nation. Rotowire reports he sprained the ankle in the 3rd quarter at FAU, and an MRI showed no major structural damage. He was listed as week-to-week, which is why this went down to game day instead of being settled on Monday.

Gutierrez isn't a total unknown, though. He played a big role after Woodson went down in the 38-30 loss to FAU on September 12. Rotowire has him going 6-of-12 for 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in that game, plus 75 rushing yards and another score. He's also an unusual player. Navy says he's the only player in FBS listed on the 3-deep depth chart at quarterback and at another position, running back, in both 2025 and 2026. So this is a guy who can carry the ball, not a pocket passer being thrown into the triple option.

There's a lot at stake beyond one Friday night game. Navy came in at 1-1 and 0-1 in the American after FAU handed it its first loss in a conference opener since 2023. Starting 0-2 in league play would put the Mids in a real hole before October. UAB came in at 1-2 and 0-0 in conference, and Navy leads the all-time series 3-0.

For bettors, the timing was the whole story. The line went up on a Navy team built around one of the best running quarterbacks in the country, and on game day it had to account for a first-time starter. Watch how Newberry uses Woodson in that emergency role, how much of the offense Gutierrez gets to run, and whether Navy can keep its conference season from going sideways before Woodson's ankle is ready.