Blue Raiders Break Through, Power Past Sam Houston on Senior Day
In a night that delivered both celebration and relief, the Blue Raiders sealed their senior-day redemption at home. On Saturday, Nov. 22, in front of a spirited crowd at Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium, MTSU turned things around, rallying from a 10-0 hole to down Sam Houston 31-17.
Momentum Shift & Key Moments
The Bearkats jumped out to a 10-0 lead in the first quarter, with a 38-yard field goal and a 54-yard strike from freshman quarterback Landyn Locke (burning his red shirt) to Chris Reed, but that momentum stalled there. The Blue Raiders responded, tying the game by halftime thanks to a methodical 77-yard drive capped by a Rickey Hunt Jr.’s 1-yard run and a 27-yard field-goal by Jacob Hathaway with just 19 seconds to spare.
In the second half, MTSU’s offense came alive. Freshman quarterback Roman Gagliano connected with Jekail Middlebrook for a 19-yard TD pass midway through the third quarter, and a 33-yard quarterback keep early in the fourth put MTSU ahead 24-10. The dagger: Gagliano’s 2-yard plunge with 2:10 remaining, cementing himself as a viable dual-threat weapon on the offense.
Why This Win Matters
Conference Win: This marks MTSU’s first win in Conference USA this season (1-6), breaking a seven-game losing streak.
Defending your Castle: It’s the first win at home in 400+ days, narrowly avoiding the first no-win season at home since BEFORE Johnny “Red” Floyd Stadium was built in 1933.
Senior Day Magic: For the veteran players, this was more than just a game.. it was their final home outing, and they left with something to celebrate.
Momentum Builder: Despite the season’s struggles, this performance gives the program a tangible lift; both for the underclassmen and the fanbase.
Standout Performances
Roman Gagliano: 21-of-34 passing for 268 yards and a passing TD, plus 67 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns.
Jekail Middlebrook: 106 rushing yards on 15 carries, 31 receiving yards, totaling 142 all-purpose yards.
Team Totals: MTSU piled up 460 total yards (192 rush, 268 pass) while holding Sam Houston to only 79 rushing yards.
Defense & Turnovers: Crucially, the defense forced the game-sealing interception by Parker Hughes in the final minute and pitched zero turnovers themselves.
What Worked, What to Build On
Working well:
The balance between run and pass kept defenses off-balance.
The defense tightened after the first quarter, especially against the run.
Sustained drives and patience: MTSU converted five of their final seven drives into scores.
Still to improve:
Slow start: Falling behind early still needs addressing.
Red-zone efficiency and finishing: While the end result was strong, there were moments where sharper execution could’ve increased the margin.
Consistency: One win doesn’t define a season, but it can help build confidence and set a new path with things to build off of; even with just one game left.
Final Word
On a day all about the seniors, the Blue Raiders crafted a story worth telling. The flashes of offensive spark, the defensive discipline, the crowd in Murfreesboro.. they all came together. While the season still has a major challenge ahead with New Mexico State, this game gave the players, coaches and fans a moment of pride, and a foundation to build from.
This article was written by Sidelines Sports Network - MTSU Admin, Jonathan House
