Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Middle Tennessee
Sam Houston
Blue Raiders Roll Past Sam Houston on Senior Day
11/22/2025 6:11:00 PM | Football
MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee closed out its home slate in commanding fashion Saturday, using a balanced offensive attack and a dominant second half to pull away from Sam Houston, 31–17, on Senior Day at Floyd Stadium.
After falling behind 10–0 in the first quarter, the Blue Raiders (2–9, 1–6 CUSA) settled in and controlled the game from that point forward, outscoring the Bearkats 31–7 the rest of the way. MTSU posted 192 rushing yards and 268 through the air while scoring on five of its final seven drives.
Roman Gagliano delivered one of the most efficient performances of his freshman season, completing 21-of-34 passes for 268 yards and a touchdown while adding 67 yards and two rushing scores. His 33-yard touchdown run early in the fourth quarter gave the Blue Raiders a 24–10 cushion, and his two-yard keeper with 2:10 to play sealed the win.
Jekail Middlebrook paced the ground game with 106 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging over seven yards per attempt. Rickey Hunt Jr. added a one-yard touchdown run in the second quarter to start the scoring surge.
MTSU's defense tightened significantly after Sam Houston's early burst, allowing just 79 rushing yards and generating the game-clinching interception in the final minute when Parker Hughes stepped in front of a pass near midfield.
By the Numbers
142: Jekail Middlebrook totaled 142 all-purpose yards (106 rushing, 31 receiving, 5 punt return), leading all players and pacing an MTSU offense that rolled up 460 total yards.
192: Middle Tennessee rushed for 192 yards, averaging 6.0 yards per carry behind big days from Middlebrook and Roman Gagliano, who added 67 on the ground with two rushing touchdowns.
24: The Blue Raiders finished with 24 first downs, controlling tempo and sustaining drives while outgaining Sam Houston by 100 yards of total offense.
Thoughts from Head Coach Derek Mason
Up Next
The Blue Raiders travel to Las Cruces, N.M. to take on NM State on Saturday, Nov. 29. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. CT on ESPN+ and over the air on the Blue Raider Network.
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