Blue Raiders open season Saturday against Murray

Saturday, Sept. 5\| 6:02 p.m. \| Floyd Stadium (27,303) \| Murfreesboro, TN

	MIDDLE TENNESSEE BLUE RAIDERS 0-0, 0-0 CUSA	VS	MURRAY STATE RACERS 0-1, 0-0 MISSOURI VALLEY

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MURFREESBORO — A new season of Middle Tennessee football begins Saturday night when the Blue Raiders welcome Murray State to Floyd Stadium for the 2026 season opener. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. CT, with MTSU sponsoring White Out, Community Night and Faith and Family Night.

Head coach Derek Mason and the Blue Raiders enter their third season under Mason looking to build on the momentum generated late in the 2025 campaign. Middle Tennessee closed last season by winning two of its final three games and returns a veteran group that includes several players recognized on the Conference USA preseason watch list. Wide receiver Cam'ron Lacy, offensive lineman Reese Tripp, cornerback Jason Hardy, outside linebacker Reggie Johnson and place-kicker Dominic Bourgeois were all selected to the league's preseason watch list.

Saturday's opener also will carry special significance as the Blue Raiders honor the life and legacy of Tennessee icon Dolly Parton. MTSU will wear a commemorative jersey patch featuring Parton's signature, trademark butterfly and the years 1946-2026. The patch was created as a tribute to one of Tennessee's most beloved figures, and the first game-worn jersey featuring the patch will ultimately be donated to MTSU's Center for Popular Music.

With the Floyd Stadium crowd dressed in white, the Blue Raiders look to make a strong opening statement to get the 2026 campaign underway. For tickets, please go to GoBlueRaiders.com to purchase yours today.

GAME 1

» Saturday, November 5 - 6:02 p.m. CT
» Floyd Stadium
» Murfreesboro, TN

SERIES HISTORY

» The Blue Raiders and Racers have met 71 times on the football field and the series is led by MTSU, 38-30-3. The two teams first met in 1925 and played each other every year as members of the Ohio Valley Conference from 1952 until 1998. Since the Blue Raiders elevated to the FBS level, the two teams have met just twice with the Blue Raiders winning in 2000 and again in 2023. MTSU owns a mark of 23-14-1 against the Racers at home and have won three straight. The last home loss against MSU came in 1997.
BLUE RAIDER NOTES

» The Blue Raiders will be wearing a jersey patch to honor icon Dolly Parton who passed away at the age of 80 on Aug. 25.
» Sept. 5 is the latest date for a season opener since 2020 when the Blue Raiders faced Army on the road. The Blue Raiders have played on Sept. 5 seven times and own a record of 5-2 in those games (only losses were on the road against Army and Clemson).
» MTSU TE coach Ross Jenkins coached wide receivers at Murray State in 2012. He mentored MSU all-time leading receiver Walter Powell that season.
» This marks the third straight year MTSU has opened the season at home against an FCS opponent.
» Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, the Blue Raiders have won the season opener nine times. When winning the opener during that stretch, MTSU has averaged 6.5 wins a season.
» Only three players on the MTSU roster has recorded an interception for the Blue Raiders. The three are Kalen Woods, Jackson Lowe, and Korey Smith.
» Consecutive Start Leaders: AJ Jones 7, Christofer Nobel 5, Korey Smith 4, Kalen Woods 4 and Alex Gale 4
» The 2026 season for MTSU is the 112th for Blue Raider football and the 28th at the FBS level.

BLUE RAIDERS AT FLOYD

» Since Floyd Stadium opened in 1933, the Blue Raiders have compiled an overall mark of 311-145-13 (.677), including a record 31-game win streak from 1987-94. Since joining the FBS ranks in 1999, the Blue Raiders are 89-56 (.614) overall at Floyd Stadium and 58-32 in conference games (33-16 vs CUSA; 25-16 vs SBC). MTSU has a 45-27 (.625) record at home in its last 72 games.

HOME OPENERS

» Middle Tennessee enters the Murray State game having won 10 of its last 13 home openers, including four in a row from 2013-16 and 2021-24. This marks the third time since the 2021 season the Blue Raiders have opened a season at home and the 14th time in the FBS era.

OFFENSIVE OVERHAUL

» Head Coach Derek Mason made a complete overhaul of his offensive coaching staff in the offseason. Mason brought in four new coaches and moved two others to different positions. Headlining the additions are offensive coordinator Anthony Scelfo, offensive line coach Christopher Browne, running backs coach Al Poree and tight ends coach Ross Jenkins. He also moved Calvin Lowry from running backs to outside receivers and elevated Coley Crowley to inside receivers.

GAGLIANO TAKES THE REINS

» After biding his time for nearly two years, redshirt sophomore quarterback Roman Gagliano is ready to take the reins full-time in 2026. Following an injury to starter Nicholas Vattiato, Gagliano was thrust into the starting lineup for the final three games. During that span, the Blue Raiders went 2-1 and Gagliano accounted for 1,093 yards of total offense with 911 passing yards and 182 rushing yards while being responsible for eight touchdowns.

LACY LEADING RETURNER AMONG PASS CATCHERS

» Redshirt junior Cam Lacy, who is coming off a career year in '25, is the Blue Raiders' leading pass catcher from the 2025 campaign. Lacy was fifth on the team last year with a career-best 38 receptions for a team-high 549 yards. His 14.4 yards per catch average led the team.

Saturday, Sept. 5| 6:02 p.m. | Floyd Stadium (27,303) | Murfreesboro, TN

GAME 1

SERIES HISTORY

Players Mentioned

Dominic Bourgeois

Roman Gagliano

Alex Gale

Jason Hardy

Reggie Johnson

AJ Jones

Cam'ron Lacy

Jackson Lowe

Korey Smith

Reese Tripp

Nicholas Vattiato

Kalen Woods

Middle Tennessee State University Athletics