The Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders are gearing up for a big week as they get ready for the 2026 CUSA Football Kickoff in Arlington, Texas. Head Coach Derek Mason will be there, joined by student-athletes Roman Gagliano and Ashton Logan, representing the team at this much-anticipated event.
The kickoff happens at the Loews Arlington Hotel and Texas Live!, and it’s shaping up to be more than just a media circus. There’ll be leadership sessions, media appearances, and plenty of ways for fans to get involved—sounds like a pretty lively start to what could be a memorable football season.
Blue Raiders Set for CUSA Football Kickoff
As the Blue Raiders head to Arlington, fans can expect a bunch of activities that put the team’s talent and leadership on display. The event runs Monday and Tuesday, with players and Coach Mason jumping into all sorts of media and fan sessions.
Event Highlights and Schedule
The CUSA Football Kickoff is loaded with stuff to do, giving fans a closer look at their favorite team and letting the players show off a bit. Some of the main highlights include:
- Leadership Session: The league office is putting together a session to help student-athletes sharpen their leadership chops.
- Photo Shoot and Podcast: Monday brings a pro photo shoot, then a podcast session—should be fun to see what comes out of that.
- ESPN+ Show: There’s a live show on ESPN+ at noon, with interviews and coverage you probably won’t want to miss.
- Kickoff Event: Later in the afternoon, there’s a special event to officially get things rolling.
- Baseball Game: Monday night, the players get to relax at Globe Life Park, catching the Texas Rangers vs. Chicago White Sox. Not a bad way to unwind.
- Digital Content and Social Media: Tuesday morning, it’s all about making digital content and connecting with fans online.
- Press Conference: Coach Mason will talk to the media at 10:35 AM, giving a peek at what’s ahead this season.
Meet the Blue Raiders Representatives
Roman Gagliano and Ashton Logan will be the faces of Middle Tennessee at the CUSA Football Kickoff. Both have stood out—not just for their play, but for how they carry themselves off the field.
Roman Gagliano: The Rising Quarterback
Roman Gagliano, 6-3 and 219 pounds, is heading into his third season. Last year, he stepped in for Nicholas Vattiato and, honestly, handled the pressure well.
- 1,005 passing yards on 78 completions
- Seven touchdowns through the air
- 166 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns
This summer, Gagliano also worked as a counselor at the Manning Passing Academy. That’s a pretty cool way to keep learning and growing as a leader.
Ashton Logan: The Veteran Punter
Ashton Logan is 6-2, 209 pounds, and entering his fifth college season. He transferred from Oklahoma and made a real impact right away for Middle Tennessee.
- 66 punts for a 44.7-yard average
- 29 punts downed inside the 20-yard line
- 19 punts of 50-plus yards
His average—44.7 yards—was the second-best ever for a single season at MTSU. That’s some serious consistency.
Looking Ahead: Training Camp and Season Opener
Once the CUSA Football Kickoff wraps up, the Blue Raiders jump right into training camp on August 5th. It’s a key stretch as they get ready for the season opener against Murray State on September 5th.
The opener starts at 6 PM CT at Floyd Stadium. Fans are buzzing to see what Coach Mason and this squad can do this year.
Key Dates to Remember
If you’re following the Blue Raiders, here are a few dates you’ll want to keep handy:
- August 5: Training camp begins
- September 5: Season opener vs. Murray State
- 10:35 AM, July 20: Coach Mason’s press conference at the CUSA Football Kickoff
Conclusion
The 2026 CUSA Football Kickoff event isn’t just a media day—it’s really a celebration of the game itself. There’s something special about seeing all that hard work from players and coaches pay off, even before the season starts.
For the Blue Raiders, this event feels like the starting line for what could be a pretty wild season ahead. With Roman Gagliano and Ashton Logan stepping up, there’s a lot of buzz and, honestly, a good bit of hope in the air.
If you’re hoping to keep up, you can catch the action on ESPN+ or follow along on the team’s social media. That’s usually where the best moments pop up first anyway.
Looking for more details or updates? Head over to the official Blue Raiders website. There’s always something new posted there.
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