How Western Kentucky rivalry brings out the best in MTSU QB Roman Gagliano
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It's safe to say that playing Western Kentucky brings out the best in Middle Tennessee State quarterback Roman Gagliano.
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The redshirt sophomore had a breakout performance in the Blue Raiders' loss to the Hilltoppers in his first career start last season.
He followed that up with arguably the best game of his career on Nov. 7, helping MTSU end seven years of futility in the "100 Miles of Hate" rivalry, earning a 51-42 victory at home.
"I think (a reporter) told me on Tuesday that I was 12 the last time MTSU won it," said Gagliano, who wasn't yet a teenager when MTSU last defeated WKU on Nov. 2, 2018. "I haven't won it since I've been here, Coach (Derek) Mason hasn't won it since he's been here. They rattled off the last seven on us, (but) this just felt different. We knew we were supposed to get one back and we took it as such throughout the week."
Not only had MTSU (5-4, 3-2 CUSA) gone seven years without a win against its rival, but most of the games weren't close. And it appeared that breaking the streak might be in jeopardy after the Hilltoppers (3-6, 2-3) scored two late fourth-quarter touchdowns to tie it at 42 with just 31 seconds left.
But Gagliano directed the offense 45 yards in five plays, and Dominic Bourgeois kicked a 48-yard field goal, seemingly as time expired and MTSU players and fans rushed the field to celebrate.
But officials put one second back on the clock, forcing the Blue Raiders to kick off. WKU attempted several laterals on the play, and MTSU intercepted one and ran it back for the final margin.
"They left too much time on the clock," Gagliano said. "We only needed a field goal, and we had all the trust and confidence in Dom to go make things happen. And the ball was falling our way all night, so might as well try to end it."
Gagliano finished 30 of 41 for 312 yards and four touchdowns, just a week after arguably one of the worst starts of his career in a 44-28 loss to Kennesaw State.
"He had a great week of practice," Mason said. "I don't know if it was a bounce-back from the Kennesaw State game or whatever it was, but he was locked in this week."
Derek Mason, MTSU football stayed composed late in win over WKU
MTSU played like a team hungry to end a losing streak, jumping to a 14-0 lead in the first quarter.
Almost as impressive to Mason was how his team responded after allowing the Hilltoppers to tie it late, particularly considering what the game means to both sides.
"You talk about emotional composure," Mason said about the intensity of the rivalry. "Because, really, what happens is you can get emotionally hijacked. You start to look at it, you start to talk about it. I didn't talk about it too much. I talked about it enough, though. Just to make sure the guys understood. I think there was no overkill with it."
Lost in the hype of the rivalry win is the fact MTSU is one win away from being bowl eligible for the first time since 2022. The Blue Raiders have three games remaining to accomplish that, including a road contest at Liberty on Nov. 14 (2:30 p.m. CT).
"It feels great, man," said MTSU wide receiver Neo Clifton, who had two touchdown receptions. "Seven long years. This team is special, this team is different. We're going to keep rolling. We ain't done yet."
Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at [email protected] and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: How Western Kentucky rivalry brings out the best in MTSU QB Roman Gagliano