Blue Raiders Embrace New Era as Fall Camp Builds Momentum Under Gagliano, Scelfo

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MURFREESBORO, TN - Middle Tennessee State football opened fall camp with renewed energy and a clear sense of purpose, aiming to reverse consecutive 3-9 seasons under head coach Derek Mason. The Blue Raiders, now in year three of the Mason era, are leaning on a new offensive coordinator, a rising quarterback, and a defense focused on fundamentals as they prepare for a 2026 schedule that begins at home against Murray State on Sept. 5.

Last season ended with a 3-9 overall record and 2-6 mark in Conference USA. The Blue Raiders closed with two wins in their final three games after Roman Gagliano took over at quarterback. That late surge has carried into camp, where Gagliano is the clear starter and the program’s centerpiece.

New offensive coordinator Anthony Scelfo, hired in December from Southeastern Louisiana, has praised the group’s attitude and the quarterback’s leadership. “We’ve got a great group of kids. They love showing up each and every day. They love football,” Scelfo said. “Just building a foundation, you know, this fall camp, right? And that’s what it’s all about… trying to carry that over and take it into the season.”

Scelfo highlighted Gagliano’s growth and presence. “From the first day you met him, just the energy, the smile, the excitement. He loves the game first and foremost. He loves the quarterback position… The command, the leadership, the energy that he has, and the whole team feeds off it. When the defense looks out there and he’s got the ball in his hands, you feel good… I’m lucky to walk into a situation with a quarterback like that.”

Gagliano, who completed 78 of 135 passes for 1,005 yards and seven touchdowns with no interceptions in limited action last year while adding rushing production, is focused on the present. “Last year, it doesn’t matter… what we did or what I did. I think the biggest thing is focus on the here and now… You ready to see a lot of points on the scoreboard.”

He credited the offensive line and coach Christopher Browne for creating a positive environment. “If I gotta hand the ball off 40 times a game, I’ll do it… It starts with coach Brown… He comes out at 6:50 in the morning… just loudest he can be, getting those guys fired up.” Gagliano also noted his own preparation improvements, arriving early to stretch and recover, and bonding with a mostly new offensive line group through weekly hangouts and movies.

Defensively, assistant head coach and coordinator Brian Stewart is emphasizing consistency and run stopping ahead of the opener against Murray State. “The biggest challenge we have is consistently stop the run… no matter who lines up in front of us. We can stop the run, eliminate the big plays.” Stewart praised the unit’s attitude and noted progress with returning pieces and new contributors, stressing the need to speak the players’ language and use veterans to relay messages.

The 2026 schedule features six home games, including Nevada, Delaware, Kennesaw State, Western Kentucky, and New Mexico State, plus road tests at Marshall, Jacksonville State, Kansas, FIU, Liberty, and Sam Houston. Camp is centered on building habits so that “the scoreboard will tell you how you played… and you kind of approach practice that way,” as Scelfo put it.

With practices underway and the season roughly three weeks away, the Blue Raiders are treating every session as preparation for sustained improvement. The foundation is being laid one practice at a time.