Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
1-9 , 0-6
Western Kentucky University
8-2 , 6-1
Blue Raiders battle to the end but fall at WKU
11/15/2025 6:41:00 PM | Football
Quarterback Roman Gagliano turned in a standout performance in his first collegiate start, throwing for 389 yards, two touchdowns, and adding 82 rushing yards as he kept the Blue Raiders' offense humming all afternoon. Explosive plays – including a 52-yard strike to Myles Butler and a 34-yard touchdown run by DJ Taylor – pulled MTSU within two points early in the final quarter.
The Blue Raider defense had its moments as well, highlighted by Parker Hughes' 62-yard interception return, his first career pick, that set up a fourth-quarter field goal to make it 28-26.
Despite being outpaced in time of possession, Middle Tennessee outgained WKU through the air and matched the Hilltoppers big play for big play until the final minutes. WKU added two late touchdowns to pull away, but the Blue Raiders' fight, resilience, and offensive firepower were on full display.
MTSU (1-9, 0-6 CUSA) now turns its attention to celebrating its seniors in its final home game against Sam Houston Nov. 22 after showing significant progress on both sides of the ball.
>> Offensive Player Notes
#5 | Myles Butler | WR | Gr.
• Recorded his first 100+ yard receiving game of the season with his 105-yard performance
#6 | AJ Jones | WR | R-Jr.
• Grabbed his third touchdown catch of the season in the second quarter. All three touchdowns have come in the last four games.
#16 | Roman Gagliano | QB | R-Fr.
• Made his first collegiate start today against WKU in place of the injured Nicholas Vattiato. Vattiato had started 33 straight games for the Blue Raiders.
• His 389 yards made him the first QB to throw for over 300 yards in his first start since Chase Cunningham in 2022. Cunningham made his first collegiate start at Charlotte and responded with 379 passing yards on 28 of 40 throwing five touchdowns and a team-high 65 rushing yards.
• Gagliano's 64-yard run in the second quarter was the longest by a quarterback this season and the second longest by the team behind Jekail Middlebrooks' 72-yard run.
#28 | Rickey Hunt | RB | R-So.
• Made his first collegiate start at running back today against WKU in place of leading rusher and the nation's leading receiver for running back Jekail Middlebrook.
#29 | DJ Taylor | RB | Fr.
• Rushed for a career-high 50 yards on six carries.
• Taylor scored his first career touchdown on a 34-yard carry in the third quarter. The carry marked his longest run of the year.
#89 | Landon Collins | WR | Fr.
• Made his first Blue Raider start today when he lined up at receiver
• Hauled in a career-best 49 yards in Bowling Green on three receptions, including a longest catch of 38 yards.
#91 | Felix Hixon | NT | R-Jr.
• Made his first career start today against WKU.
>> Defensive Player Notes
#9 | Parker Hughes | ILB | Gr.
• His interception, accompanied by a 62-yard run, in the third quarter was the first of his career.
#11 | Brandon Buckner | OLB | Gr.
• Recorded his first multi-sack game of the season, tallying two sacks on the day.
• His 2.5 tackles-for-loss for 11 yards mark a career-best
#25 | Jackson Lowe | CB | R-Fr.
• Lowe tallied a career-best eight tackles, tacking on his fourth pass breakup on his career as well.
#58 | Korey Smith | ILB | So.
• He finished the game with a career-best 11 tackles.
#91 | Felix Hixon | NT | R-Jr.
• Made his first career start today against WKU.
Team Stats
MTS 0, WKU 7
WKU - Wright,La'Vell 3 yd run (Cannon,John kick), 16 plays, 87 yards, TOP 06:27
MTS 0, WKU 14
WKU - Henry,Matthew 22 yd pass from Tisdale Jr.,Rodney (Cannon,John kick) 4 plays, 49 yards, TOP 01:42
MTS 7, WKU 14
MTS - Jones,AJ 3 yd pass from Gagliano,Roman (Hathaway,Jacob kick) 5 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:36
MTS 10, WKU 14
MTS - Hathaway,Jacob 25 yd field goal 8 plays, 73 yards, TOP 02:05
MTS 10, WKU 21
WKU - Meyers,Noah 3 yd pass from Tisdale Jr.,Rodney (Cannon,John kick) 9 plays, 79 yards, TOP 03:28
MTS 16, WKU 21
MTS - Butler,Myles 52 yd pass from Gagliano,Roman () 2 plays, 75 yards, TOP 00:51
MTS 16, WKU 28
WKU - Tisdale Jr.,Rodney 8 yd run (Cannon,John kick), 6 plays, 75 yards, TOP 02:10
MTS 23, WKU 28
MTS - Taylor,DJ 34 yd run (Hathaway,Jacob kick), 9 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:09
MTS 26, WKU 28
MTS - Hathaway,Jacob 22 yd field goal 6 plays, 28 yards, TOP 02:49
MTS 26, WKU 35
WKU - Meyers,Noah 1 yd pass from Tisdale Jr.,Rodney (Cannon,John kick) 10 plays, 75 yards, TOP 05:01
MTS 26, WKU 42
WKU - Wright,La'Vell 37 yd run (Cannon,John kick), 6 plays, 80 yards, TOP 02:43
