Middle Tennessee State University Athletics
Blue Raiders ready for CUSA Kickoff in Frisco, TX
7/20/2025 3:00:00 PM | Football
FRISCO – Conference USA announced recently that Middle Tennessee student-athletes Nicholas Vattiato and Parker Hughes would join Head Coach Derek Mason at the 2025 CUSA Football Kickoff on Monday and Tuesday in Frisco, Texas.
The event returns to the new PGA of America for the second straight year. This marks the first formal event under the league's 2025 12-team configuration as the league welcomes Delaware and Missouri State.
Monday will see the student-athletes spend time at CUSA Headquarters engaging in leadership and personal development sessions before doing a video and photo shoot at the Welcome Reception. The student-athletes will also enjoy some EA Sports gaming and dinner.
The Blue Raiders will get started on Tuesday with the CUSA Insider Podcast before their press conference at 11:45 AM. The day will conclude with the ESPN+ Live Show where Mason, Vattiato and Hughes will be interviewed by host Mike Corey. The ESPN+ Live Show will air at 12:05 PM until 12:20 PM. Fans can watch by clicking HERE.
Vattiato (6-0, 212) – Entering this fifth season with the Blue Raiders, Vattiato is coming off a year where he threw for 3,092 yards on 269 completions to go with 16 touchdowns. He is just the second player in MTSU history to record multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons.
Hughes (6-1, 225) – Begins his fifth season of college football after joining the program as a walk-on. After missing the first three games last year due to a summer injury, Hughes finished second on the team with 69 tackles to go with 2.5 TFLs, a hurry and a forced fumble.
The Blue Raiders will begin training camp on July 31 in preparation for the season opener on Aug. 30 against Austin Peay. Kickoff for the opener at Floyd Stadium is set for 6 PM CT.
The event returns to the new PGA of America for the second straight year. This marks the first formal event under the league's 2025 12-team configuration as the league welcomes Delaware and Missouri State.
Monday will see the student-athletes spend time at CUSA Headquarters engaging in leadership and personal development sessions before doing a video and photo shoot at the Welcome Reception. The student-athletes will also enjoy some EA Sports gaming and dinner.
The Blue Raiders will get started on Tuesday with the CUSA Insider Podcast before their press conference at 11:45 AM. The day will conclude with the ESPN+ Live Show where Mason, Vattiato and Hughes will be interviewed by host Mike Corey. The ESPN+ Live Show will air at 12:05 PM until 12:20 PM. Fans can watch by clicking HERE.
Vattiato (6-0, 212) – Entering this fifth season with the Blue Raiders, Vattiato is coming off a year where he threw for 3,092 yards on 269 completions to go with 16 touchdowns. He is just the second player in MTSU history to record multiple 3,000-yard passing seasons.
Hughes (6-1, 225) – Begins his fifth season of college football after joining the program as a walk-on. After missing the first three games last year due to a summer injury, Hughes finished second on the team with 69 tackles to go with 2.5 TFLs, a hurry and a forced fumble.
The Blue Raiders will begin training camp on July 31 in preparation for the season opener on Aug. 30 against Austin Peay. Kickoff for the opener at Floyd Stadium is set for 6 PM CT.
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