Blue Raiders Fall 23-13 at Jax State in CUSA Opener
JACKSONVILLE, AL - Middle Tennessee Football (2-2, 0-1 CUSA) dropped its first Conference USA matchup of the season Saturday, falling 23-13 to the Jacksonville State Gamecocks (3-2, 1-0 CUSA).
The Blue Raiders led briefly in the third quarter but surrendered 13 unanswered points in the second half as Jax State pulled away. Two field goals and a touchdown pass created the final 10-point deficit.
MTSU set an early tone on defense. On the game’s opening drive, safety Kalen Woods intercepted Gamecocks quarterback Caden Creel. Jax State recovered to take a 10-0 lead with a first-quarter field goal and a short rushing touchdown by Creel in the second quarter.
Middle Tennessee answered before halftime. Quarterback Roman Gagliano found Cam’ron Lacy for a 5-yard touchdown with 27 seconds left in the half, capping a 14-play, 90-yard drive. On the final play of the half, sophomore safety James Johnson recorded his first career interception and returned it 51 yards, sending the Blue Raiders into the locker room with momentum.
Gagliano and the offense struck quickly to open the third quarter. He completed 4 of 5 passes for 54 yards on a 75-yard scoring drive, finishing it with a 32-yard touchdown strike to Markus Allen. The catch was Allen’s first as a Blue Raider and gave MTSU its only lead of the day at 13-10.
Jax State answered with a field goal to tie the game, then took the lead for good on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Creel to Deondre Johnson. A late 29-yard field goal pushed the margin to 23-13.
Gagliano finished with 216 passing yards. Running back Antonio Martin Jr. added 106 rushing yards, his third 100-yard game of the season and second straight. Lacy’s touchdown reception marked his fourth consecutive game with a scoring catch.
On defense, linebacker Korey Smith led the way with 13 tackles, matching his career high. Cornerback Jackson Lowe posted a career-best 11 tackles less than a week after earning CUSA Defensive Player of the Week honors. Woods and Johnson each recorded interceptions, the first time MTSU has intercepted two passes in a game since late November 2025.
Punter Ashton Logan had a strong day as well, landing four punts of 50 or more yards, including a long of 52.
The Blue Raiders will be on the road next weekend versus Kansas in Lawerence.
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