BOWLING GREEN, KY − Middle Tennessee football found its quarterback of the future in 2021 when Nick Vattiato earned his first career start at Western Kentucky.
Four years later the Blue Raiders may have seen their future again, and on the same field. Ironically it was an injury to Vattiato that allowed redshirt freshman Roman Gagliano to make his first career start against the Hilltoppers on Nov. 15.
MTSU (1-9, 0-6 Conference USA) dropped its seventh game in a row and lost for the seventh straight time against WKU (6-1, 8-2), falling 42-26.
But Gagliano did more than his part. He was 25-of-42 passing for 377 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions, while also rushing for a team-high 14 carries and 128 yards. He became the first MTSU quarterback to top 300 yards passing and 100 yards rushing in a game since Asher O’Hara (2019 against Western Kentucky).
Starting running back Jekail Middlebrook and starting wide receiver Nahzae Cox were also out of the lineup against WKU.
Gagliano had a 68-yard completion and a 64-yard run − in which he broke several tackles − in the first half alone.
“I think that’s what it was at the end of the day … just playing football, what I’ve been doing my whole life,” Gagliano said, adding that he wasn’t nervous entering the game. “I’ve been doing it since I was in eighth grade, so just every football field, it’s 53 and a third (yards wide).”
Vattiato’s injury, which he suffered during a 56-30 loss to FIU on Nov. 8, was unspecified. The graduate player hadn’t missed a start since the beginning of the 2023 season. Senior day is Nov. 22 when MTSU hosts Sam Houston and the season finale is Nov. 29 at New Mexico State.
So, where does MTSU go from here? His role on the depth chart and performance against WKU would give all indication Gagliano is the team’s future at quarterback.
“I think Roman gave us a chance tonight,” said MTSU coach Derek Mason, when asked how the performance could affect the depth chart. “You know, we have to evaluate Nick, you know, week to week. But in the end, here’s what you know. You got two guys. One in Roman, who is healthy right now, and Nick, who’s on the mend.
“So, you know, any time you have two quarterbacks, you feel good about that. But until I get an OK, Roman’s going to stay in that role. And what we’ve got to do is continue to give him more reps, so we can see it and manufacture points.”
Gagliano credited Vattiato, who has been his mentor the past two seasons, with helping prepare him for his first start.
“I owe it all to that guy,” Gagliano said. “I tell him that every time I get to. I appreciate him and what he does. Every time coming off the field, he was there for me. He would look at the pictures and tell me what he’s seeing. He has a lot of ball under his belt, so anything I can take from him, I definitely did. That’s my guy.”
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Cecil Joyce covers high school sports and MTSU athletics for The Daily News Journal. Contact him at cjoyce@dnj.com and follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @Cecil_Joyce.
This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU football may have found a QB after Roman Gagliano’s performance
