Gagliano-to-Clifton connection powers MTSU football in win over Delaware

Tuesday, October 13

Murfreesboro, TN

6:00 PM

Middle Tennessee

3-3 , 1-1

University of Delaware

2-4 , 0-2

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Delaware	3	13	7	7	30
Middle Tenn.	5	7	14	7	33

MTSU Notes Game Book (PDF)

10/13/2026 9:59:00 PM | Football

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By: Willie Phaler, MTSU Athletic Communications

MURFREESBORO, Tenn.- A career-high four-score day from Roman Gagliano led the way to a 33-30 win on Tuesday night, securing Middle Tennessee's (3-3, 1-1 CUSA) first Conference USA win of the year over the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens (2-4, 0-2 CUSA).

Gagliano's tremendous offensive effort was spearheaded by three passing touchdowns, with redshirt freshman Neo Clifton on the receiving end of two of them. Overall, Clifton had a career day with four catches for 64 yards in addition to his two scores. Both scores came in the second half, including the go-ahead game winning score with 3:06 to play.

In addition to Clifton putting up big numbers, graduate tight end Koraun Perdue also added in a career-day to the Blue Raiders' winning effort. The 6-foot-6, 237 pound target got to show off his wheels on an 80-yard pitch and catch with Gagliano on the first play from scrimmage to open the second half.

Gagliano also found a score with his legs, flashing his dual threat ability on a rushing touchdown in the second quarter. On the day, the redshirt sophomore accumulated 291 yards and 22 rushing yards.

While the Blue Raider offense made headlines with the 33-point effort to take down the Blue Hens, MTSU's defense came up big when they needed it. With two minutes to play freshman safety Bryce Williams picked off UD's Tyler Bell, putting the Blue Raider win on ice after three renditions of the victory formation.

In addition to the timely turnover, the Blue Raiders battened down the hatches after the Blue Hens forced and recovered a fumble on a kick return with 9:50 to play in the ballgame. With the ball in short field and the drive starting on the MTSU 26-yard line, Korey Smith's sack of Bell ignited a big stop, setting up the game winning connection between Gagliano and Clifton.

By the Numbers:

3-0: With the win, the Blue Raiders are now 3-0 at home to begin the 2026 campaign. This is the first time since 2021 MTSU has showcased a perfect start in Floyd Stadium through three games.

5: Middle Tennessee's pass rush hit hard in the Blue Hen backfield, sacking the quarterback five times in the win.

6: Roman Gagliano spread the love in the aerial attack, connecting with six different Blue Raider receivers in the win.

2: Neo Clifton is the first Blue Raider freshman to haul in two scores in a game in over a decade, when Ty Lee accomplished the feat in the 2016 Hawai'i Bowl.

MTSU Game Notes
• The Blue Raiders recorded their first safety since Nov. 11, 2023 against FIU in the opening quarter. It is also the first of the Derek Mason era.
• Middle Tennessee blocked an extra point for the first time since Oct. 10, 2023, when Jakobe Thomas did so against LA Tech.
• With the win over the Blue Hens, the Blue Raider start 3-0 at home for the first time since 2021.
• MTSU's 93 yard scoring drive in the fourth quarter is the longest for Derek Mason at MTSU.
• 33 points is the second-highest scoring offense for Coach Mason, coming just short of the highest, which was set at 38 against Murray State in the season opener this year.

Offensive Player Notes
#3 | Cam'ron Lacy | WR | r-Jr.
• Continued his streak with at least one reception in 14-straight games.

#16 | Roman Gagliano | QB | r-So.
• Tossed his longest completion of his young career in the third quarter, an 80-yard pass to Koraun Perdue for a score, while throwing a season-best 291 yards on the night.
• Following a late interception in the final seconds of the first half, Gagliano went 6-6 in the third quarter for 148 yards and two touchdowns.

#83 | Koraun Perdue | TE | Gr.
• Notched the longest touchdown reception by a tight end in school history during the third period, matching the 10th longest reception at 80 yards.
• Led the Blue Raiders with 103 receiving yards on the day for the first time in his MTSU career.

#85 | Neo Clifton | WR | r-Fr.
• Tallied a season-best 64 receiving yards from four receptions and his first career two-touchdown contest.
• First freshman to record two receiving touchdowns in a single game since Ty Lee did so on December 24, 2016 at the Hawaii Bowl.

Defensive Player Notes
#7 | Christofer Noble | S | So.
• Made his first start on the year after suffering an injury in the preseason, making an immediate impact with three tackles.

#13 | Ashton Taylor | LB | r-Sr.
• Tallied a career-best 1.5 sacks with seven total tackles and two quarterback hurries

#26 | Korey Smith | LB | r-Sr.
• Has amassed a team-leading four games with double-digit tackles, earning 10 against Delaware.

#30 | Bryce Williams | S | Fr.
• Recorded his first interception in the closing quarter, adding on four tackles to the line as well.

Special Teams Player Notes
#92 | Ashton Logan | P | r-Sr.
• Kicked four punts over 50 yards for the third game in a row, the first time this feat has been accomplished in the Mason era.
• Set the standard with the sixth-most yards per punt in a single game with 53.2 yards per boot.

Postgame Interviews

Up Next: The Blue Raiders will continue Weekday CUSA play next Wednesday, as they take their talents to South Beach for a clash with FIU (3-3, 1-1 CUSA). Kickoff is slated for 6:00 p.m. from Pitbull Stadium in Miami. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network, with a radio broadcast from the Blue Raider Network on WGNS.