The 2025 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders football team represented Middle Tennessee State University as a member of Conference USA (CUSA) during the 2025 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Blue Raiders were led by Derek Mason in his second year as the head coach. The Blue Raiders played home games at Johnny "Red" Floyd Stadium, located in Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
Offseason Transfers Outgoing Devyn CurtisLBArkansas StateEthan CriteWRAustin PeayJosh EvansWRBethune–CookmanSam DriggersWRCentral ArkansasLuther RichessonQBCentral ArkansasXavier WilliamsSCincinnatiDrew FrancisLBEast Tennessee StateTaharin SudderthDLEast Tennessee StateJames Monds IIIDBEastern MichiganDumela KnoxOLFerris StateJulius PierceOTFIUTyrell RabyDBGrambling StateAmarrien BaileyLBHinds CCKedrick BurleyDLKeiserGrant ChadwickPLSUJavonte ShermanWRMars HillMarvae MyersDBMarshallMorgan ScottOTMarshallFrank PeasantRBMemphisOmari KellyWRMichigan StateAyden MerrihewOLNorthern ColoradoKellen StewartWRPrairie View A&MJames GillespieDTSacramento StateJames Shellman IVDBSavannah StateJames StewartDETennessee StateCaleb ReidLBTennessee StateShamar CrawfordOLTennessee StateSimon WilsonOLTulsaJordan BeasleySUT MartinJordan ThompsonLBWestern CarolinaJacob ColemanTEUnknownTerry WilkinsRBUnknownJ’Shun BodifordOLUnknownJohn Howse IVSUnknownTyson ResperWRUnknownDa'Shawn ElderDBUnknownJalen JacksonDBUnknownNolan ForshaLBUnknown
Incoming AJ JonesWRArizonaE.J. HarrisOLAuburnAlex MitchellLBChattanoogaJuwon GastonCBHoustonHunter TiptonTELouisiana TechAmorion WalkerWRMichiganBrett BrownQBMissouriIkani TuionoOLNebraska–KearneyKevin Miniefield Jr.DBNorthern ArizonaJoseph HabinowskiOLOhioAshton LoganPOklahomaTayvion GallowayTEPurdueJacob OttsOLRhode IslandRickey Hunt Jr.RBTulsaTyree PattersonWRUCFKason StokesWRUCF
Schedule
Game summaries vs. Austin Peay (FCS)
Statistics APSU MTSU First downs 19 13 Plays–yards 74–343 59–153 Rushes–yards 47–150 22–44 Passing yards 193 109 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 14–27–0 16–37–0 Turnovers 0 0 Time of possession 38:35 21:25 Team Category Player StatisticsAustin Peay Passing Chris Parson 11/20, 142 yards, 2 TD Rushing Courtland Simmons 10 carries, 35 yards, TD Receiving Shemar Kirk 3 receptions, 69 yardsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 15/36, 104 yards, 2 TD Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 11 carries, 48 yards Receiving Nahzae Cox 6 receptions, 50 yards, 2 TD
at Wisconsin
Statistics MTSUWIS First downs 14 21 Plays–yards 60–241 58–436 Rushes–yards 28–33 31–153 Passing yards 208 283 Passing: –– 21–32–1 23–27–1 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 29:17 30:43 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 20/31, 197 yards, TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 12 carries, 27 yards Receiving Nahzae Cox 3 receptions, 75 yardsWisconsin Passing Danny O'Neil 23/27, 283 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Dilin Jones 10 carries, 36 yards, TD Receiving Lance Mason 7 receptions, 102 yards, TD
at Nevada
Statistics MTSU NEV First downs 23 16 Plays–yards 75–352 60–369 Rushes–yards 30–105 35–203 Passing yards 247 166 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 27–45–1 14–25–2 Turnovers 1 2 Time of possession 31:10 28:50 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 27/44, 247 yards, TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 67 yards Receiving Myles Butler 7 receptions, 65 yardsNevada Passing Chubba Purdy 5/7, 88 yards, TD, INT Rushing Herschel Turner 12 carries, 90 yards Receiving Jordan Brown 5 receptions, 58 yards
vs. Marshall
Statistics MRSH MTSU First downs 27 14 Plays–yards 71–449 48–373 Rushes–yards 49–188 15–74 Passing yards 261 299 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 18–22–0 19–33–1 Turnovers 1 1 Time of possession 36:47 22:13 Team Category Player StatisticsMarshall Passing Carlos Del Rio-Wilson 18/22, 261 yards, 4 TD Rushing Michael Allen 21 carries, 90 yards, TD Receiving Demarcus Lacey 5 receptions, 116 yards, TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 19/32, 299 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 6 carries, 89 yards Receiving Nahzae Cox 6 receptions, 94 yards, TD
at Kennesaw State
Statistics MTSU KENN First downs 24 17 Plays–yards 79–460 51–334 Rushes–yards 37–155 31–157 Passing yards 305 177 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 28–42–1 13–20–0 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 38:59 21:01 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 27/41, 278 yards, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 20 carries, 109 yards, 2 TD Receiving Cam'ron Lacy 8 receptions, 96 yardsKennesaw State Passing Amari Odom 11/17, 162 yards, 2 TD Rushing Coleman Bennett 12 carries, 101 yards Receiving Chase Belcher 1 reception, 53 yards, TD
vs. Missouri State
Statistics MOST MTSU First downs 19 22 Plays–yards 66–348 68–353 Rushes–yards 35–70 25–86 Passing yards 278 267 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 16–31–0 30–43–0 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 30:42 29:18 Team Category Player StatisticsMissouri State Passing Deuce Bailey 16/31, 278 yards, TD Rushing Shomari Lawrence 11 carries, 63 yards Receiving Ramone Green Jr. 1 reception, 76 yardsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 30/42, 267 yards, 2 TD Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 17 carries, 93 yards Receiving Cam'ron Lacy 6 receptions, 114 yards, 2 TD
at Delaware
Statistics MTSU DEL First downs 24 27 Plays–yards 72–384 80–360 Rushes–yards 22–103 36–79 Passing yards 281 281 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 31–50–1 28–44–1 Turnovers 2 2 Time of possession 27:05 32:55 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 31/48, 281 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 11 carries, 68 yards, TD Receiving Hunter Tipton 5 receptions, 56 yards, TDDelaware Passing Nick Minicucci 27/42, 276 yards, 4 TD Rushing JO Silver 14 carries, 51 yards Receiving Kyre Duplessis 7 receptions, 65 yards, 2 TD
vs. Jacksonville State
Statistics JVST MTSU First downs 17 18 Plays–yards 70–356 67–319 Rushes–yards 49–141 22–84 Passing yards 215 235 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 15–21–0 23–45–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 33:00 27:00 Team Category Player StatisticsJacksonville State Passing Caden Creel 13/19, 139 yards, TD Rushing Cam Cook 21 carries, 103 yards, TD Receiving Deondre Johnson 4 receptions, 131 yards, 2 TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 23/45, 235 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 10 carries, 20 yards, TD Receiving Jekail Middlebrook 6 receptions, 87 yards, TD
vs. FIU
Statistics FIU MTSU First downs 22 18 Plays–yards 66–401 78–364 Rushes–yards 38–144 24–33 Passing yards 257 331 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 17–28–2 33–54–1 Turnovers 2 3 Time of possession 28:27 31:33 Team Category Player StatisticsFIU Passing Joe Pesansky 17/28, 257 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT Rushing Kejon Owens 15 carries, 68 yards, 2 TD Receiving Alex Perry 5 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TDMiddle Tennessee Passing Nicholas Vattiato 26/37, 242 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 8 carries, 30 yards Receiving Cam'Ron Lacy 5 receptions, 108 yards, TD
at Western Kentucky (100 Miles of Hate)
Statistics MTSU WKU First downs 20 29 Plays–yards 67–541 79–642 Rushes–yards 25–152 38–271 Passing yards 389 371 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–42–0 29–41–1 Turnovers 0 1 Time of possession 26:12 33:48 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Roman Gagliano 25/42, 389 yards, 2 TD Rushing Roman Gagliano 14 carries, 82 yards Receiving Myles Butler 7 receptions, 105 yards, TDWestern Kentucky Passing Rodney Tisdale Jr. 29/41, 371 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Marvis Parrish 12 carries, 102 yards Receiving Matthew Henry 7 receptions, 135 yards, TD
vs. Sam Houston
Statistics SHSU MTSU First downs 20 24 Plays–yards 65–360 66–460 Rushes–yards 24–79 32–192 Passing yards 281 268 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 25–41–1 21–34–0 Turnovers 1 0 Time of possession 30:35 29:25 Team Category Player StatisticsSam Houston Passing Landyn Locke 25/40, 281 yards, 2 TD, INT Rushing Alton McCaskill 11 carries, 42 yards Receiving Grady O'Neill 8 receptions, 89 yardsMiddle Tennessee Passing Roman Gagliano 21/34, 268 yards, TD Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 15 carries, 106 yards Receiving Myles Butler 6 receptions, 65 yards
at New Mexico State
Statistics MTSU NMSU First downs 20 24 Plays–yards 76–459 74–395 Rushes–yards 33–199 27–84 Passing yards 260 311 Passing: Comp–Att–Int 24–43–0 29–47–2 Turnovers 1 3 Time of possession 30:33 29:27 Team Category Player StatisticsMiddle Tennessee Passing Roman Gagliano 24/42, 260 yards, 3 TD Rushing Jekail Middlebrook 20 carries, 95 yards Receiving Landon Collins 5 receptions, 81 yards, TDNew Mexico State Passing Adam Damante 29/44, 311 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Kadarius Calloway 9 carries, 37 yards Receiving TK King 10 receptions, 178 yards, 2 TD
Personnel Roster 2025 Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders FootballQuarterbacks 10 – Kaden Martin - Junior (5'11, 230) 11 – Nicholas Vattiato – Senior (6'0, 212) 12 – Brett Brown - Junior (6'1, 180) 16 – Roman Gagliano – Freshman (6'2, 220) 18 – Stanley Anderson-Lofton – Freshman (6'1, 225)
Running backs 9 – Jekail Middlebrook - Sophomore (5'10, 196) 28 – Rickey Hunt Jr. – Sophomore (5'10, 213) 29 – DJ Taylor – Freshman (6'1, 198) 30 – Rai'keyrean Chandler – Freshman (5'10, 171) 31 – Austin Clemons – Freshman (6'0, 203) 33 – Brooklen Davis – Freshman (5'10, 198) 35 – Ashton Jones – Freshman (5'8, 205)
Wide receivers 1 – Nahzae Cox – Junior (6'3, 200) 4 – Tyree Patterson – Sophomore (6'1, 191) 5 – Myles Butler – Senior (6'2, 205) 6 – AJ Jones – Junior (6'3, 212) 8 – Amorion Walker – Junior (6'4, 179) 13 – Cam'ron Lacy – Sophomore (5'8, 164) 17 – Gamarion Carter – Senior (6'2, 190) 19 – Kason Stokes – Freshman (6'2, 191) 80 – Zaidyn Moore – Freshman (5'10, 184) 84 – Ben Hubbard – Freshman (5'9, 181) 85 – Neo Clifton – Freshman (6'2, 200) 87 – Chase Davis – Freshman (5'7, 153) 89 – Landon Collins – Freshman (6'2, 185)
Tight ends 42 – Evan Poticher – Sophomore (6'2, 247) 46 – Sawyer Lovvorn – Freshman (5'11, 211) 81 – Wilson Hodges – Freshman (6'5, 241) 82 – Hunter Tipton – Junior (6'4, 237) 86 – Brody Benke – Freshman (6'3, 248) 88 – Tayvion Galloway – Freshman (6'3, 226) Offensive Lineman 50 – Ikani Tuiono – Senior (6'2, 303) 51 – Quentin Butler – Junior (6'3, 296) 53 – Roman Jones – Freshman (6'2, 267) 55 – Mateo Guevara – Junior (6'4, 312) 56 – EJ Harris – Junior (6'5, 317) 57 – Bo Bryan – Freshman (6'5, 290) 61 – Otto Janse Van Rensburg – Freshman (6'4, 301) 63 – Alex Gale – Freshman (6'3, 312) 66 – Aaren Alexander – Senior (6'2, 284) 70 – Isaac Rue – Sophomore (6'6, 308) 71 – Ellis Adams – Graduate Student (6'4, 378) 72 – Jacob Otts – Senior (6'7, 298) 73 – Marcus Miller – Graduate Student (6'4, 307) 74 – Joseph Habinowski – Graduate Student (6'4, 297) 76 – Garrett Austin – Freshman (6'6, 310) 77 – Diego Blattler – Junior (6'5, 281) 78 – Kyle Larkin – Freshman (6'5, 314) 79 – Zach Clayton – Sophomore (6'5, 288)
Defensive Line 0 – Anthony Bynum – Sophomore (6'3, 260) 67 – Archie Roseman V – Freshman (6'3, 340) 74 – Jonathan Waller – Freshman (6'0, 272) 75 – Jaden Owens – Freshman (6'5, 271) 89 – Darnell Malpress – Freshman (6'3, 225) 91 – Felix Hixon – Junior (6'1, 299) 92 – Damonte Smith – Senior (6'1, 301) 93 – Aidan Butts – Sophomore (6'3, 258) 94 – Tiyyan Robinson – Freshman (6'4, 261) 95 – Zeion Simpson-Smith – Freshman (6'1, 271) 98 – Shakai Woods – Sophomore (6'0, 279) 99 – Ja'Darious Morris – Sophomore (6'0, 261) Linebackers 3 – Alex Mitchell – Senior (6'1, 237) 9 – Parker Hughes – Senior (6'1, 225) 11 – Brandon Buckner – Senior (6'0, 248) 16 – Jaiyden Thompson – Junior (6'3, 238) 31 – Mathias Malaki-Donaldson – Junior (6'3, 232) 33 – Malik Love – Freshman (6'4, 227) 35 – Muaaz Byard – Junior (6'0, 232) 43 – Markel James – Sophomore (6'0, 229) 44 – Jayden Williams – Freshman (6'6, 238) 46 – Reggie Johnson – Junior (6'3, 255) 47 – Chayce Smith – Sophomore (6'2, 237) 50 – Elijah Carney – Sophomore (5'11, 225) 52 – Micah Smith – Freshman (6'2, 234) 56 – Jayson Lowe – Junior (6'1, 226) 58 – Korey Smith – Sophomore (5'11, 225) 90 – Matthew Blomquist – Freshman (6'5, 238)
Defensive backs