September 25, 2025 • 34 mins
Coach Blaise Faggiano reflects on Utica's tough 21-17 loss to Hobart and how they're using it as motivation heading into their Empire 8 conference opener against Alfred State. The Pioneers are focused on bouncing back for homecoming weekend after a strong non-conference performance that has prepared them well for the challenges ahead.
• Despite outgaining Hobart 387-242 in total yards, "hidden yards" on kick returns and poor field position proved costly
• Coach Faggiano praised his team's resilience in fighting back from a 13-0 deficit
• Standout performances from QB Tyler Szaalkowski (28/42, 287 yards, 2 TDs) and WR Bryce Palmer (12 catches)
• Mason Nolan earned Empire 8 Defensive Player of the Week honors with multiple sacks
• Alfred State enters as a new Empire 8 member after winning back-to-back ECFC championships
• Homecoming festivities include tailgating beginning at 9am, an artisan market, and alumni games
• Coach sees the Empire 8 as "wide open" this year with no clearly dominant team
• Keys to victory: improved kick coverage, open-field tackling, and offensive balance
Join us this Saturday at 1pm for the "Pioneers vs Pioneers" homecoming matchup at Gaetano Stadium. Special thanks to First Source Federal Credit Union for sponsoring our Teacher Appreciation Game where educators get free admission with school ID.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Rocky (00:35):
Good evening, everybody.
Welcome to another live editionhere on Inside Utica University
Football Podcast with myself,Coach Little C.
We'll bring on Coach the headcoach of Utica University, Coach
Blaze Fazziano, in just amoment.
We'll get him on screen andtalk about a tough game last
week against L against Hobart,excuse me.
We'll talk about their homeopener, conference opener this
week for homecoming, that andmuch more.
(00:57):
If you're following on YouTube,make sure you hit the subscribe
button.
If you're watching on any ofthe social media platforms, if
you have any questions orcomments for Coach, I'll try to
pull as many over as I can.
Coach and I are tied with ourpicks.
He's hanging in there.
Um, we got some more gameswe'll pick tonight, uh, some big
games in college football uh onSaturday, including the
nightcap, the whiteout game,Penn State, and Oregon.
(01:20):
So a lot of games this weekend.
We'll get to those at the end,but we'll bring Coach on and
talk about the Hobart game andthis week's conference opener in
the Empire 8.
So let's bring Coach Anne.
Let me get a situated coach.
There he is.
What's going on tonight, Coach?
Coach Fagginao (01:38):
What's going on?
Even though is there any game?
What games are on tonight?
I don't know what competition.
Rocky (01:42):
Well, we got we got NFL tonight.
We got Seattle and Arizona, Ibelieve, is tonight.
Coach Fagginao (01:47):
All right, but no, no New York teams.
Rocky (01:50):
We do not have any New York team.
No Syracuse, none of thattonight.
So we're not we're not upagainst any of that competition
here tonight.
Coach Fagginao (01:56):
All right.
But uh look forward to talkingball as always.
Rocky (01:59):
Coach, first first time, and I I I hope it's not um a
true I hope it's not next week,too, but it's the first time I
get you after a loss.
So it's always tough um talkingafter a loss, but great game,
close game.
You guys had youropportunities.
Let's talk about uh the wholebar game.
Coach Fagginao (02:18):
No, for sure.
You know, um, you know, goodfootball team.
Um certainly had a plan to topressure our quarterback and did
a great job doing that rightstacked us four times.
Um but I really liked ourresolve, like you know, we're
we're you know, before we knowit, you know, we give up a big
kick return.
And they, you know, their theirfield position was outstanding
(02:39):
all day.
Their two of their threetouchdowns were on our side of
the 50, inside the 30, uh, onebeing at the end of the game.
Uh, and then they had a couplebig kick returns where our
kickoff team was struggling uhwith our coverage, and they're
you know, they're starting attheir 40, you know, their the
43-yard line, and then you kindof all of a sudden you look up
and we're down 13-nothing,right?
(03:00):
And then that's kind of likewhat we did to RPI.
And I just loved how weresponded.
Now we made it hard onourselves because continuing to
struggle a little bit with ourfield position, our terrible
field position, but we had I'mgonna be off in the was like a
12-play drive or eight playdrive, going the length of the
field to go in halftime up, youknow, after a really slow start.
And so I really liked our guys'resolve and how we battled.
(03:22):
And um, you know, again, thisthis game, it's crazy.
Like you look at the stats, andthen you know, unless you were
there and watched it, you wonderhow you know how'd they lose
this game?
You know, how do you hold theoffense to 242 yards of offense?
Right, our defense playedplayed very well, gave us
opportunities.
Um, our offense, it just it wejust missed it, right?
(03:43):
We're we're up 17-14 with underthree minutes to go.
We need to find a way to towin, and you know, you want to
call it get out with an uglyloss kind of situation.
And then you always put inperspective like we're talking
about Hobart.
I couldn't tell you the lasttime that they've had a losing
record, right?
Very good team.
Rocky (04:00):
Yep.
Coach Fagginao (04:01):
Uh, I look back at our our first three, you
know, non-league opponents, Wand J, RPI, and and Hobart.
Now, as we look back, I know alot of people looked at that in
the offseason, like, well, thatthat's a little different, you
know, opening up your season,coach.
Rocky (04:15):
And um which they're all gonna have winning records at
the end of the season.
Coach Fagginao (04:19):
Right, right.
You put words in my mouth.
They're all gonna have winningrecords.
A good chance they all couldget some type of postseason will
be in the running for theirtheir um you know conference
championship.
And then you look at you lookat RPI beating Brockport in
overtime, right?
And then U of R, you know, andI like and coaches done a nice
job of roster beat beatingFisher.
So, you know, um I gotta tellyou, like our coaches, our
(04:43):
players, and it's so importantto be on the same page.
Um I think in your life, younever really like having to take
a hard lesson.
And we all took a hard lesson.
And if like we're gonna takeit, let's take it now against a
good team and a non-conference,and so we can really learn from
that game to propel us into whatis always a tough Empire 8, you
(05:05):
know, conference schedule.
So you know, I think there weresome things I told the guy
there are some things thatoccurred in the first couple of
games didn't matter because thescore was so lopsided that
really kind of got magnified,you know, in a closer fought uh
ball game, you know, this pastweekend.
But um you know, it was tough.
It took, you know, it took alittle bit to flush that one,
you know, just because we knowthat we had our opportunities
(05:26):
and you know, just having greatconversations with our players
because they all know what's onthe line as we work very hard to
propel our program.
We win the game, we'reundefeated, maybe nationally
ranked, and all that's great.
But as soon as we all say that,that doesn't matter.
Right?
It really doesn't matter.
(05:46):
What matters is that we getbetter every week, that we do
everything we can to putourselves in contention to win
the conference, right?
And everything we can to to winas many games as we can to try
to get to postseason of somesort, right?
And so that stuff's all greatand all things we aspire to as a
young program.
But at the end of the day, youknow, we we we we needed that,
you know, and it was it was atough one, and um, but I can
(06:08):
assure you that you know we'velearned from it.
And uh, you know, um, you know,again, credit to Hobart, and
they played tough and hung inthere, and uh, you know, we're
uh we're certainly learned fromthat.
We're gonna be hungry afterthat.
Rocky (06:20):
Well, coach, you talked about in a couple of our shows.
You talked about the resilienceof your team, the the
leadership, strong leadershipfrom top to bottom, and you get
down a couple scores, you puttwo really good drives together
in the second quarter.
I think you had a 13-playdrive, then you had a long
88-yard drive, and then you comeout in the third quarter and
you have a 10-play drive, an80-yard drive.
(06:41):
So the resilience of this teamwhere they fell behind, it
didn't even seem to phase phaseyou guys.
Coach Fagginao (06:48):
They're they're a tough group, you know.
The the hidden yards got us.
Like they, you know, we we gaveup 117 yards and kick return.
We got to obviously we'reworking, we've worked on that
all week long, right?
Um, then we had a coupleerrant, like we start a drive at
the four, right?
Because we make a poordecision, and then we have a
penalty, we start a drive in the12, right?
And like we know in order to dothe things we want to do moving
(07:11):
forward, you can't keep doingthat against that's gonna kill
you against you know, good, goodopponents.
And you know, my college coachsaid all the time like you want
to be the best, you got to beatthe best, you gotta play uh, you
know, high level.
And uh, you know, I know thatthese three non-conference games
as a group now, as we go intoconference play, has gotten us
ready for uh for EA play forsure.
Rocky (07:32):
So, coach, I I I will tell you, I looked at the stats
because I was trying to followyou guys to see how I wonder how
they did, how'd they do?
So I'm following the stats, andI'm like, you guys dominated
the time of possession.
I think you guys were like 33,34 minutes to maybe 26.
And I'm like, the stats, I'mlike, man, they put they they
played well.
They played, you know, theyplayed well.
Coach Fagginao (07:52):
I think the only stat Oh, you guys outbeating
them by 387.
Yeah, crazy.
Rocky (07:58):
One of the stat lines I saw that um I and I and I think
my numbers are right, Dry.
Third down, you guys were threeof thirteen on third down.
So the third downs it seemedlike you guys struggle, but
everything else, every stat inthe category, you guys dominated
the game.
unknown (08:12):
Right.
Coach Fagginao (08:13):
And um that's why it was such a tough one, you
know.
And we've all played this game,um, coaches and players alike,
and you know, uh, you know, weknow what it's like, you know,
you you win a game, lose a game,and how you feel.
And um, this is one that youknow sit in our bell sat in our
bellies for a little bit andthey don't like that feeling,
and uh know that uh the team iscapable of some really good
(08:36):
things, and um that's why it wastough.
You know, it wasn't like wow,that was one, you know, and it
was a great game, but there wereso many things we did that we
did um that helped Hobart'sgame.
And they they played prettymistake free, you know, besides
her penalties, didn't turn theball over, uh, you know, sacked
our quarterback, created someturnovers on their end, um, did
(08:58):
a nice job in their specialteam.
So um but uh yeah, it'll becurious.
Yeah, I think that the tell thetale will be, you know, when
you're looking at you know, weekeight, nine, and ten, at the
end of this thing, you know,where everyone's sitting.
I think uh I think a lot ofteams are excited because
there's not one team.
I don't think in eitherconference in E8 or the Liberty
that's like the team right now.
(09:19):
I think, you know, um, youknow, whether that's the um
pirate or liberally, I thinkthose top three or three teams
or four teams in each league areare all within a score of each
other.
So I think you know there'ssome excitement to that on uh on
things to come.
Rocky (09:31):
Coach, talk about some of your guys.
Tyler had another good game foryou guys, 28 of 42 for 287.
He had the two scores, he wassacked four times um this game.
Bryce Palmer, your receivingcrew was good.
IT, you're I'm calling them IT.
I think that's what you werecalling them too, Isaiah.
I think well for you guys too,but talk about some of the guys
that played well for you.
Coach Fagginao (09:50):
Yeah, I mean, you know, you know, Tyler, Tyler
played well.
He was on the show, he tight inplayed well enough.
He's very hard on himself.
I love him.
Um, you know, and that's that'swhy he's a strong leader.
Um, you know, uh, you know,Bryce was just like amazed, 12
catches, amazing.
Yeah, I tell you, AntonioChanferrani had some like our
first touchdown was a fourth andten.
You know, tough grab over themiddle, fights to get in the end
(10:11):
zone.
Uh so Chin had two scores andplayed really well.
Our O lines battling.
Um, you know, we didn't haveour starting running back.
Uh Aze Frazier, hoping we havehim back this week.
And then uh, you know, midwayinto the game there, we lost
Jennai Strong, who was runningreally hard.
Um, so a couple of injuries atthat position.
Um, you know, Janaya will beout a little bit, but we're
hoping you're hoping to have Azeback this week and certainly
(10:34):
have some depth at the at therunning back spot.
You know, and then over on uhon defense, you know, Mason
Nolan got Empire DefensivePlayer of the Week, a couple of
sacks, um, played very well.
Isaiah Thomas played well.
Again, our defense made madesome plays, you know, to hold a
team.
Uh like Hobart's caliball to242 of offense is is something
to to to really, you know.
(10:55):
I know a lot of people,rightfully so, were talking
about our offense those firsttwo weeks.
Yeah, so definitely some goodconfidence for our defense to go
out and play some good physicalfootball and hold a team.
Uh they were they weren't verygood on third down.
We we really held them on thirddown as well.
I forget what it was, three at12 or 2 at 10 or something.
Um, and so definitely buildingon that.
(11:16):
Again, we have a lot offirst-time starters on our
defense.
Uh our D-line continues to playwell in front of uh in front of
IT, uh Jordan Davis, MasonMoranowitz, Mason Muscary, Nick
DeForest, and then the youngguys come in and Christian Roan
and Austin DeGroat and Jerome M.
Hard.
And so I think that's that'sreally helped us in the run
game, is being able to keep keepthat D line fresh and right
(11:38):
rotate those guys.
Rocky (11:39):
So, coach, now you have the one part of the season's
over, which is thenon-conference, and now you get
into the conference play.
So now you start the other partof your season.
What's the preparation like nowheading into conference play?
Different, obviously, thenon-conference play, but what
goes into that preparation nowcoming into uh league play?
Coach Fagginao (11:58):
Well, I think they all everyone gets excited.
You know, through therecruiting process, we just talk
and talk about you know howstrong the Empire Rate
conference is, you know, and youlook at how they we've done in
the playoffs over the years.
We have a really good playoffrecord as a conference.
You know, our teams, you know,we beat each other up, but
whoever gets in the tournamentis gonna, you know, win a few
rounds and make some noise.
(12:18):
And obviously a couple yearsago, you know, uh our conference
champ won the whole thing.
So, you know, um the guys areexcited, you know, and what's
unique uh coming into this week,you know, is you know, Alfred
State is new in the conference.
Rocky (12:30):
Yep.
Coach Fagginao (12:31):
Um, they're scrappy, they're tough, they
play with a chip on theirshoulder.
I like like you know, the jobCoach Lynn's done there.
They've won their conferencethe last couple of years.
They've gone to the NCAAplayoffs, they've played
Endicott, they've played MountUnion.
Um, and you can see that in howthey play.
They're pretty confident.
So it's the Pioneers versus thePioneers Saturday, hit Gaetano,
(12:52):
and um our guys know theEmpire's a great conference.
Uh, you know, welcome to AlfredState too.
I think it's just good for NewYork football.
Um, you know, I think BuffState should get in there too.
Like let's let's let's let'slet the Empire Aid grow.
You know, get non-conferencegames, as I told you, is tough.
But um yeah, and that'll be agood rival, I think.
Alfred State, Alfred U down thestreet from each other.
(13:12):
I think that'll be a good rivalfor for New York Division III
football.
Um, but uh the Empire Rate isone of the best conferences in
the country.
It's a physical conference, soour guys are excited.
Rocky (13:22):
Well, you just stole half my notes on Alfred State, so I
I gotta try to look at my otherpage here.
But uh, but let's talk.
I want to talk though about sothe non-conference schedule, you
you kind of highlighted andsaid, you know, those three
teams, which I agree, they'reall gonna have winning records,
all really good teams.
And now you come intoconference play.
Are you right about where youguys think you you should be
(13:43):
coming in the conference play?
Coach Fagginao (13:46):
I mean, I grudgingly, I grudgingly will
say yeah, you know, because I Iwould have liked for us to to to
be three and oh, but um, butfor sure, you know what I mean?
As far as and so again,sometimes you need that, you
know, sometimes you need that umuh whatever you want to call
it, you know, uh uh a littlewake-up call, whatever you want
to call it, uh, just to kind ofkeep everyone focused uh and
(14:08):
know that every play in afootball game matters.
We're certainly riding a nicehigh those first two weeks and
things were clicking.
Yeah, and um, yeah, we likethat feeling a lot better.
But uh, you know, uh we loveplaying at home.
Um, you know, looking forwardto to playing at home this week.
Uh, you know, a couple otherspecial things at the game.
Uh it's um first source federalcredit union.
(14:28):
Uh their CEO is uh is a UNICAalum, John Calabries, and uh
it's teacher appreciation game.
So all teachers out there cancome, you bring your school ID,
can get into the game for free.
Um we do some fun stuff withour guys, with all the first
source families, kids.
We do some autographs after thegame.
Uh, but really excited aboutEric Call, uh linebacker.
Uh I got to coach Eric for twoyears, was an unbelievable
(14:51):
linebacker for us.
And what's great is he lives inthe Utica area.
He originally from uh SpencerVenetton area, went to Spencer
Venetton High School out byElmira, and uh as a physical
therapist who works at the winand loves living in Utica.
Um so I'm really excited forEric and his family.
Uh he'll be getting inducted tothe Hall of Fame Friday night.
So, you know, a lot a lot ofpositive things going around uh,
(15:12):
you know, this weekend's gamecoming up.
Rocky (15:14):
And coach, you talked about Alford State.
They won the ECFC back-to-backseasons.
They've been to the NCAAtournament.
Um, I know you mentionedDundnikott who they lost to, but
it's a team that's familiarwith you know, tournament play
and winning conferencechampionships.
And now here they come into theEmpire A, which I think only
makes the conference that muchbetter uh getting them into the
conference uh play here with youguys.
(15:36):
They're off to a two-and-onestart.
They beat Hilbert College, Iknow who struggled uh for a
little while, but then you gotBuff State and then the Anderson
University in Indiana.
Is that a D2 school?
Coach Fagginao (15:48):
Listen, I I gotta tell, I don't even I
couldn't even tell you.
I watched the game.
Rocky (15:51):
I think it's a D.
I had to go back and look, andI'm looking.
I'm sure.
Coach Fagginao (15:54):
I wasn't sure if they're NIA and N AIA maybe.
I think they're division.
I'm not sure.
I have to go back.
I'm so focused on us.
I told you I'm gonna go.
Rocky (16:02):
I know they've they've they've played them the last
couple years, but that that'swho their loss is too.
But they got some talent, theygot a quarterback.
Coach Fagginao (16:09):
They missed a 10-yard field goal.
They missed a 10-yard fieldgoal to win that thing.
Coaches, I'm sure, you know, asmuch as upset about that loss
as we are with Hobart.
You know, like they that's agame that they certainly had the
opportunity to win.
Rocky (16:19):
But it seems like, Coach, they like to run the ball.
They got two good backs, theygot a junior and senior back
that I think one of them's gotover 50 carries for with seven
touchdowns, but they got aquarterback that's that
completes a lot of balls, andhe's a senior quarterback.
Coach Fagginao (16:33):
I'll tell you, he's done a great job.
I think what's challenging withthem is like they get into
every formation with the samepersonnel.
You know, so they'll be inquote unquote 12 personnel with
two tight ends, and the tightends are out receiver, or or
maybe really even you could say22 personnel, because both backs
are out there, both tight endsare out there, and they're in a
spread set, and one of therunning backs is out as a
(16:54):
receiver.
So um, you know, they're doingsome great things to spread the
field and spread you out and usethe whole field, and you know,
um, and you know, they do a nicejob of that.
The running back had a greatgame, they had a huge win uh
against Buff State for theirhomecoming.
They scored 56 points.
Um, so they you know they'reagain they're they're uh and you
can see it on their play,they're a confident, um,
(17:14):
confident football team, youknow, and so uh like you said,
it's just good for ourconference to have a team that's
come in that's won, that's oneuh their conference that has
some post on they're used toplaying in big games, and uh,
you know, uh it's you knowexciting.
Anytime you play someone, thisis not the this is actually not
the first time.
We played them in a one-offgame in 21, and we went to their
(17:35):
place, and it was it was like alast minute deal.
We lost a game, and um, someonedropped us from the Liberty
League.
Not gonna say, and uh uh CoachLynn was kind enough.
We played him at a four o'clockon a Saturday, and uh it was a
good football game and played attheir place.
So we played them once before.
Um, so it's uh yeah, the guysare amped up.
(17:56):
And they again, when you playNew York team, the kids know
guys on the team and know eachother, and they played against
each other in high school.
I think that's always a funpiece too.
Rocky (18:03):
And coach, I feel like we talk about this too every week,
where we talk about some of thecoaches that have been at these
programs for a long time andhave really built um a really
good foundation.
And and you just mentionedCoach Lynn here at Alfred State,
but I feel like every weekwe're talking about the coaches,
you know, the coaching in theEmpire, right?
And even in the games that umyou guys have played non-com, I
feel like the coaching is justit gets better and better, and
(18:26):
it's just it's really good fromtop to bottom.
Coach Fagginao (18:29):
I mean, the division three football in New
York State's outstanding.
Many of our coaches areproducts of you know, playing in
New York State and playing inthis league or either one of the
two leagues.
Um, you know, again, everyweek, like like Hobart, they did
some different stuff againstus, right?
That they, you know, and weknew it, we did our best to
prepare for it.
But, you know, that's thewhat's Alfred State gonna do,
(18:49):
right?
We got a funny feeling they'renot just gonna run the defense
that we've seen on film the lastfew weeks.
Every team we've played is, youknow, you know, doing different
things and and you know, tryingto uh you know cause some
confusion.
And um, that just goes thecredit to the coaching.
We have some great coaches inuh in New York State for sure.
Rocky (19:07):
And coach, I felt like we talked about the believe bowl
and how hyped up the guys wouldbe for that.
Now here you are, homecoming.
The guys will be pumped up andhyped up for that.
Talk to us about how specialthe homecoming is, some of the
activities going on at theschool, you know, for the game.
I mean, I know you mentionedteacher appreciation, but how
hyped are the kids will be forthis one?
Coach Fagginao (19:24):
Homecoming's big.
I mean, the tailgate, massive.
It's it starts at 9 a.m.
The tailgate will go after thegame.
Uh, they have this great uh youknow, uh, artisan and farmers
market now that kind of runsfrom the tailgate lot down to
the stadium by Casamento Field.
Um, they've done that the lastcouple of years, and that's a
lot of fun.
Um, they have all types ofalumni games.
I'm gonna mention them,probably forget some, but I know
(19:45):
there's alumni, men's women'sacross.
Uh so there's alumni games thisweekend.
So, you know, homecoming atgreat weather.
And then you know, all thefraternities and sororities over
the years that I builtrelationships with are they're
all in the office today gettingtheir tailgate passes, right?
So they know that that CoachFagiano give them some free free
12-man tailgate passes.
The hockey team was up gettingtheir passes today.
(20:05):
So um, you know, the the campuswill really be buzzing.
Uh, we had some great awardceremonies today.
Uh, there was a scholarshipluncheon.
Um, you know, one of our guysuh is getting a sportsmanship
award uh tomorrow night, NormanBooth, uh, who's an outstanding
linebacker and just just thehuge leader on campus was in the
school plays, schoolorganizations.
(20:26):
And um, so that you know, partof not only Eric Cole getting in
tomorrow, but we'll be able tohonor uh Norman Booth.
He's coming back.
Uh he's working uh constructionmanagement, uh he's got a job
down at Washington, D.C.
He's doing really well forhimself, coaching football.
So, you know, a lot ofpositives around homecoming uh
at Utica.
Rocky (20:42):
Coach, I feel like this year, and I mean obviously I
know Cortland State with thetradition that they have coming
off what two years ago, as youmentioned, they won the whole
thing.
Uh, but I feel like for somereason, I feel like this year
from top to bottom, I feel likethe umpire rates wide open.
I feel like anybody can win it.
Coach Fagginao (20:56):
I think everybody's good.
You know, again, you look it'sif you're looking at it and
you're a fan, and I get it, Idon't talk to my guys about this
at all unless they listen tothis, right?
Uh, but you know, they they seethat Cortland lost to Grove
City.
Rocky (21:10):
Yeah, right, right.
Coach Fagginao (21:12):
They see that we lost to Hobart, they see
Brockport lost to RPI, and youknow, they know they know that
it it it's uh it doesn't seemlike there's a team in either
league in New York um thatthat's that's dominant.
And um I think Hobart's playingIthaca this week.
So that'll be really that'll bea lot of eyes will be on that
game because I know Hobart hadbeat Ithaca last year uh en
(21:35):
route to to win in the uh theLiberty League, right?
So um, you know, certainly theguys they know that stuff, and
you know, uh they don't talkabout it too much, at least not
in front of the coaches or atpractice.
Like it's really focused on thegame plan, um, you know, our
execution of what we're lookingto do, uh making sure we can
have the best week of practice.
You know, I do have to give alittle side note, which is
(21:55):
great.
We had a great Sunday uh inUtica, um, our JV team.
Uh, we had a huge crowd.
They tailgated after the game,um, you know, played Alfred.
Um, you know, it was a greatfootball game, and up end up
shutting them out.
Um, a lot of fun.
All the guys got to play.
And so that was just another,it was a real you know, positive
finished uh tough Saturday.
Uh we had a real positiveSunday.
(22:16):
And then again this weekend,uh, I think a lot of parents are
coming up for the whole weekendbecause they've got homecoming
Saturday, and then Sunday, wehave an away Jade JB game at
Hartwick, which is just an hourhour south.
So I think we'll have a lot ofa lot of our parents coming up
for the for the whole weekend toUtica and come up past some
good Utica food and and supporttheir uh their pioneers.
Rocky (22:34):
So, coach, for this week, what'll be a couple keys for
you guys to get away with a witha homecoming win this week
against Alfred?
Coach Fagginao (22:40):
Yeah, each of the three aspects, um, our whole
team knows we have to getbetter at our kickoff and kick
return, number one, from aspecial team standpoint.
Uh defensively, open fieldtackling is big.
You know, all they're doingwith they they run a million
screens and they get theirathletes in space.
And so we have to be able toopen field tackle, you know, and
then offensively, I thinkagain, we have to be balanced.
(23:01):
We have to be able to run thefootball and throw the football.
Um, you know, that's somethingthat's been a focus, making sure
that whenever we're balanced onoffense, that makes our offense
that much better.
And uh, you know, those aresome key things I think going
into the game Saturday.
Rocky (23:15):
All right, you ready to pick some teams?
Sure.
You ready to see what we gothere?
So I told you we're we're deadeven.
You and I are dead even so far.
So last week I should I I wentwith my heart in Fordham.
Coach Fitz hats off to him, gothis first uh first win, first
Patriot League win.
I was at the game, great game.
Um they beat they beat Fordham,but there's some big, big games
(23:36):
here, and I'm gonna start withthe first one.
USC at Illinois, and Illinoisgot throttled, and I did not see
that happen.
They got throttled last week toIndiana.
Coach Fagginao (23:47):
Indiana got after him, which significantly
didn't help they lost theirstart in safety.
Rocky (23:52):
Correct.
Correct.
Coach Fagginao (23:54):
You know, but but still, um I was impressed
with that how physical Indianawas, you know.
Um, I know last week I wentwith Coach Bielamo because I
know him personally.
I think on this one I'm gonnago with USC.
Rocky (24:07):
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I actually am gonna ride withyou too.
I think I'm gonna go with USC.
I think USC is a team right nownobody's talking about because
they've been playing at 11o'clock at night.
Um, they got a really goodquarterback.
I think Lincoln Riley, I thinkthey probably go like 10 and 2.
So I'm I'm gonna ride with USCuh in this one, too.
So we got to disagree on someof these here, but we'll see.
Coach Fagginao (24:30):
We do.
We get one of these.
Rocky (24:31):
All right.
LSU undefeated against my guyLane Kiffin.
It's undefeated too.
Ole Miss has got their backupquarterback in, but the backup's
as good as the first stringer,if not better, is what they're
saying.
Any chance Lane Kiffin gets himat home.
This is a tough one.
Coach Fagginao (24:50):
Uh you know what?
I'm gonna I'm gonna go withyour guy, Lane Kiffin.
Rocky (24:53):
You're gonna go with Lane?
Okay.
All right.
I uh I I'm I gotta keep ridingwith him.
I'm a big Lane guy, man.
So I gotta go.
I gotta go with old miss.
I'm I'm not sure about LSU,only because I think that win
against Clemson, which was thefirst game of the year,
Clemson's really struggled.
So I don't know if Clemson'sjust down, but that that win.
Coach Fagginao (25:16):
By the way, yeah, that was a great win for
Coach Brown.
Great win.
Shout out to him in Syracuse.
Rocky (25:21):
All right, here's another big one.
Auburn at Texas AM.
AM is minus six and a half.
Auburn played really well lastweek.
Um Auburn had a really goodshot last week.
Coach Fagginao (25:35):
Who's Auburn's loss to?
Rocky (25:37):
Uh Auburn got beat last week.
Was it to Ole Miss last week?
Okay, yeah.
Um, no, it was to Oklahoma.
I'm sorry, Oklahoma, becausethe quarterback for Oklahoma
came from Auburn.
Um so that's their only lossright now is to Oklahoma.
Coach Fagginao (25:52):
We're gonna go, we're gonna go with the original
12th man.
We've copied them at Utica withour 12th man.
We'll go with the AM.
Rocky (25:58):
Okay.
All right.
I'm I'm on AM too, so we'regonna agree on that one.
Um, this is my this is myfavorite.
I'm a big time guy.
And that and I love JamesFranklin when um I know you know
who Herb Hand is, the WestMowin guy.
He played for my team.
Class that.
Class app.
Yeah.
He uh he played for my.
Coach Fagginao (26:17):
I see him in Hannaford in the summer.
It's like we're talking therefor 45 minutes.
Like he's the best.
Rocky (26:21):
So when he was at Penn State, we went down for the
spring game and spent some timedown there.
I got a chance to meet CoachFranklin, and I love him.
The knock is just he hasn'tbeen able to win the big game,
which is beat Ohio State, beatMichigan, who he doesn't have to
play this year.
This is one of those games.
He's got a huge opportunity,white out game in Happy Valley.
Oregon, Dan Landing's done afantastic job.
(26:43):
I don't think anybody's talkingabout Oregon in the Big Ten
because they're talking aboutOhio State and Penn State.
You think James Franklin getsthis one at home?
Coach Fagginao (26:53):
All right, here again, I think I'm gonna differ
on you on this.
All right.
And go against my heart wouldbe Penn State.
Because I'm a Penn State fan,but I'm gonna I'm trying to try
to beat you here.
I'm competitive, so I'm gonnago Oregon.
Rocky (27:06):
All right.
I am gonna go with Penn State.
I went back and forth on thatone.
I like Oregon.
I love Dane Lane.
Coach Fagginao (27:14):
My heart would go Penn State all day.
Rocky (27:16):
And then here's another big game.
Alabama's played really wellsince their loss.
They've played really well.
This is one if it was Sabanagainst Kirby Smart, they'd be
talking about it.
But Georgia at home, Georgia isactually only a two and a half
point favorite at home.
So Vegas must know something.
I love Kalen De Boer.
I think he's a great coach.
Tough spot following NickSaban.
(27:39):
But Alabama on the road, dothey get it done and find a way
to beat Georgia?
Coach Fagginao (27:44):
I'm gonna go Alabama.
Rocky (27:46):
Ooh.
All right.
We're gonna differ.
I'm I'm riding with Georgia.
Um, but I like Kalen De Boer.
I think it's a tough act tofollow Nick Saban.
He's a heck of a footballcoach.
He's a great football coach.
I wish he would have never leftWashington, but but I get it.
All right, and we gotta goSyracuse.
Duke Syracuse, Syracuse fourand minus four and a half.
(28:07):
They did lose their startingquarterback, so we'll see who's
who's behind him.
What a great kid, though.
What a great start he was off.
I think he was leading thecountry and passing.
Coach Fagginao (28:15):
He was.
He was again having a greathaving a great year.
This is tough.
Um, but I'm definitely goingSyracuse all the way.
Rocky (28:22):
Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna roll with the Qs too.
And a lot of people always geton me because I picked Syracuse
to go four and eight before theseason started, and everybody
was yelling at me.
And so, of course, when theywon now that they're three and
one, everybody's saying you wantto go back and change.
But I always say this aboutSyracuse coach and the ACC.
It's always like the GeorgiaTex, the Pitts, the NC States,
the Wakes.
(28:42):
It's like those middle of thepack teams, you don't know how
good they're gonna be.
Coach Fagginao (28:46):
Oh, yeah.
So I'm particularly in this inthis day and age, right?
Rocky (28:49):
I definitely didn't have them beat them.
Coach Fagginao (28:51):
They all have their own GMs, and how did they
how did the trades go?
Like it's it's a little, it's alittle different, you know, and
like it's all and how theybuilt the team and and how it's
crazy how they can have successso quickly.
Rocky (29:03):
I mean, it's definitely I don't think anybody had him
beaten Clemson.
And I feel bad for Dabblebecause I'm a Dabbo guy.
I I think he's obviously done agreat job there.
Class Act guy.
He said he's gonna keepcoaching whether they get rid of
him.
Mike Gundy, out at OklahomaState, who was there for a long
time.
Coach Fagginao (29:19):
I never liked that in the middle of the
season.
I think that's ridiculous, butnever a fan of that.
Rocky (29:23):
Now all those kids can jump in the transfer portal.
Coach Fagginao (29:26):
Yeah, never a fan of that.
Rocky (29:27):
Yeah, you know, which is crazy.
So, well, at least we got a fewgames.
You got you like Bama andOregon, so we defer there.
We both like AM.
Um, we both like USC.
We both like Ole Miss.
So I got a chance to pick youknow a couple games up on you um
this week, but but we'll see.
Coach, I think my son and I arecoming out, so we're excited.
We'll be out to watch the game.
Coach Fagginao (29:47):
Okay, very good.
I'll make sure I give you somesome passes that uh stop at the
world call table.
Rocky (29:52):
So hopefully I'll get a chance to uh to say hi to you.
And uh my son's all excitedbecause he's excited to come
watch, he loves coming to.
games.
Um was down in was down on thefield for Colgate Fordham.
It was awesome to be downthere.
Great great atmosphere therefor uh Coach Fitz and uh man
he's got a stud receiver.
He's got one of the bestreceivers in the country.
(30:13):
But does a great job and greatsomething to watch.
Coach Fagginao (30:17):
Did I just see he's up for the the Campbell
Award?
Is that on?
Rocky (30:20):
Yeah.
Coach Fagginao (30:20):
Yeah.
I'm very very happy for CoachFitz and and uh you know Coach
Dribino.
You know, love those guys andyou know know Coach Rogersford
well and the whole crew there.
And so that was I wasn'tsurprised at all.
Rocky (30:31):
You know and and uh you know I know uh you know say I
know Coach Lenahan at at Fordhamyou know what I mean and he I
know he's working his butt offand I got a chance to see him
you know Friday night uh whichwas good um and you know you
know now now James is marriedand and has daughter and so I
was able to catch up with thatand it's just crazy that the
last couple games were likeColgate's playing Villanova you
(30:52):
know they're they're coachingagainst Nick Woodman they're
playing you know playing Lenahanat Fordham so I know they had a
bye this week who'd they havenext uh Colgate you're talking
about yeah I think Colgate'splaying either Penn or um
Cornell I think they're playingone of the Ivies oh you know I
think it's Cornell yeah I thinkthey're Ivy's and then um they
(31:12):
get back into conference playand another one of my favorite
coaches to talk to when I playedagain he's a little older than
I was was Kevin Cahill at Lehighwho's they won uh they won the
Patriot League last year they'reranked again this year and man
he's done a great job done agreat job class sack local guy
remember going to seeing his dadand recruiting you know all the
time so old old the oldSpringfield quarterbacks man
(31:34):
they're tough tough he he's gota good coaching staff he's got
coach hunt the former Colgatecoach as the OC there and uh my
defensive coordinator when I wasat Ford and Rich Nag he's his D
coordinator there.
So he's got two twocoordinators with some a lot of
experience so he's got greatstaff so coach I will uh I'll
see you Saturday hopefully I'llget a chance to say hi to you
(31:56):
good luck and uh you know we'lldo it again next week and um
I'll track these picks and seeif I can pick up a few games on
you for bragging rights at theend of the season.
Coach Fagginao (32:05):
That sounds good I appreciate it.
Fear the moose we'll see youSaturday.
Rocky (32:08):
All right coach thank you.
So I had to brag the coachbecause I'm I'm the guy that
follows college football likecrazy and I he's he's got bigger
things to worry about.
He's got his own season thanthen turn on and uh and watch
college football.
But a lot of big games thisweek in college football uh him
and I are are are dead even uh alot of big games across the
(32:30):
board I'll be following them allOregon and Penn State is
definitely the game that I'll betuned into Saturday.
I'm a Big Ten guy as everybodythat follows my shows know that.
So I want to make sure I thankCoach Foz for tuning in tonight
with me.
I want to thank all the viewersout there.
If you're following me onYouTube hit subscribe if you're
following me on any of thesocial media channels just hit
subscribe and help share uh thegood word I'll let you know when
(32:52):
the Mohawk Valley Sports watchis set to return I'll be talking
to some of the high schoolcoaches as we're already heading
into week four of high schoolfootball which is scary.
We don't want to wish fall awaybut high school football is
already uh upon us here incentral New York.
So as I say on the rock pilethe rock pile is where dreams
become reality.
Have a good evening everybody
Good evening, everybody.
Welcome to another live editionhere on Inside Utica University
Football Podcast with myself,Coach Little C.
We'll bring on Coach the headcoach of Utica University, Coach
Blaze Fazziano, in just amoment.
We'll get him on screen andtalk about a tough game last
week against L against Hobart,excuse me.
We'll talk about their homeopener, conference opener this
week for homecoming, that andmuch more.
(00:57):
If you're following on YouTube,make sure you hit the subscribe
button.
If you're watching on any ofthe social media platforms, if
you have any questions orcomments for Coach, I'll try to
pull as many over as I can.
Coach and I are tied with ourpicks.
He's hanging in there.
Um, we got some more gameswe'll pick tonight, uh, some big
games in college football uh onSaturday, including the
nightcap, the whiteout game,Penn State, and Oregon.
(01:20):
So a lot of games this weekend.
We'll get to those at the end,but we'll bring Coach on and
talk about the Hobart game andthis week's conference opener in
the Empire 8.
So let's bring Coach Anne.
Let me get a situated coach.
There he is.
What's going on tonight, Coach?
Coach Fagginao (01:38):
What's going on?
Even though is there any game?
What games are on tonight?
I don't know what competition.
Rocky (01:42):
Well, we got we got NFL tonight.
We got Seattle and Arizona, Ibelieve, is tonight.
Coach Fagginao (01:47):
All right, but no, no New York teams.
Rocky (01:50):
We do not have any New York team.
No Syracuse, none of thattonight.
So we're not we're not upagainst any of that competition
here tonight.
Coach Fagginao (01:56):
All right.
But uh look forward to talkingball as always.
Rocky (01:59):
Coach, first first time, and I I I hope it's not um a
true I hope it's not next week,too, but it's the first time I
get you after a loss.
So it's always tough um talkingafter a loss, but great game,
close game.
You guys had youropportunities.
Let's talk about uh the wholebar game.
Coach Fagginao (02:18):
No, for sure.
You know, um, you know, goodfootball team.
Um certainly had a plan to topressure our quarterback and did
a great job doing that rightstacked us four times.
Um but I really liked ourresolve, like you know, we're
we're you know, before we knowit, you know, we give up a big
kick return.
And they, you know, their theirfield position was outstanding
(02:39):
all day.
Their two of their threetouchdowns were on our side of
the 50, inside the 30, uh, onebeing at the end of the game.
Uh, and then they had a couplebig kick returns where our
kickoff team was struggling uhwith our coverage, and they're
you know, they're starting attheir 40, you know, their the
43-yard line, and then you kindof all of a sudden you look up
and we're down 13-nothing,right?
(03:00):
And then that's kind of likewhat we did to RPI.
And I just loved how weresponded.
Now we made it hard onourselves because continuing to
struggle a little bit with ourfield position, our terrible
field position, but we had I'mgonna be off in the was like a
12-play drive or eight playdrive, going the length of the
field to go in halftime up, youknow, after a really slow start.
And so I really liked our guys'resolve and how we battled.
(03:22):
And um, you know, again, thisthis game, it's crazy.
Like you look at the stats, andthen you know, unless you were
there and watched it, you wonderhow you know how'd they lose
this game?
You know, how do you hold theoffense to 242 yards of offense?
Right, our defense playedplayed very well, gave us
opportunities.
Um, our offense, it just it wejust missed it, right?
(03:43):
We're we're up 17-14 with underthree minutes to go.
We need to find a way to towin, and you know, you want to
call it get out with an uglyloss kind of situation.
And then you always put inperspective like we're talking
about Hobart.
I couldn't tell you the lasttime that they've had a losing
record, right?
Very good team.
Rocky (04:00):
Yep.
Coach Fagginao (04:01):
Uh, I look back at our our first three, you
know, non-league opponents, Wand J, RPI, and and Hobart.
Now, as we look back, I know alot of people looked at that in
the offseason, like, well, thatthat's a little different, you
know, opening up your season,coach.
Rocky (04:15):
And um which they're all gonna have winning records at
the end of the season.
Coach Fagginao (04:19):
Right, right.
You put words in my mouth.
They're all gonna have winningrecords.
A good chance they all couldget some type of postseason will
be in the running for theirtheir um you know conference
championship.
And then you look at you lookat RPI beating Brockport in
overtime, right?
And then U of R, you know, andI like and coaches done a nice
job of roster beat beatingFisher.
So, you know, um I gotta tellyou, like our coaches, our
(04:43):
players, and it's so importantto be on the same page.
Um I think in your life, younever really like having to take
a hard lesson.
And we all took a hard lesson.
And if like we're gonna takeit, let's take it now against a
good team and a non-conference,and so we can really learn from
that game to propel us into whatis always a tough Empire 8, you
(05:05):
know, conference schedule.
So you know, I think there weresome things I told the guy
there are some things thatoccurred in the first couple of
games didn't matter because thescore was so lopsided that
really kind of got magnified,you know, in a closer fought uh
ball game, you know, this pastweekend.
But um you know, it was tough.
It took, you know, it took alittle bit to flush that one,
you know, just because we knowthat we had our opportunities
(05:26):
and you know, just having greatconversations with our players
because they all know what's onthe line as we work very hard to
propel our program.
We win the game, we'reundefeated, maybe nationally
ranked, and all that's great.
But as soon as we all say that,that doesn't matter.
Right?
It really doesn't matter.
(05:46):
What matters is that we getbetter every week, that we do
everything we can to putourselves in contention to win
the conference, right?
And everything we can to to winas many games as we can to try
to get to postseason of somesort, right?
And so that stuff's all greatand all things we aspire to as a
young program.
But at the end of the day, youknow, we we we we needed that,
you know, and it was it was atough one, and um, but I can
(06:08):
assure you that you know we'velearned from it.
And uh, you know, um, you know,again, credit to Hobart, and
they played tough and hung inthere, and uh, you know, we're
uh we're certainly learned fromthat.
We're gonna be hungry afterthat.
Rocky (06:20):
Well, coach, you talked about in a couple of our shows.
You talked about the resilienceof your team, the the
leadership, strong leadershipfrom top to bottom, and you get
down a couple scores, you puttwo really good drives together
in the second quarter.
I think you had a 13-playdrive, then you had a long
88-yard drive, and then you comeout in the third quarter and
you have a 10-play drive, an80-yard drive.
(06:41):
So the resilience of this teamwhere they fell behind, it
didn't even seem to phase phaseyou guys.
Coach Fagginao (06:48):
They're they're a tough group, you know.
The the hidden yards got us.
Like they, you know, we we gaveup 117 yards and kick return.
We got to obviously we'reworking, we've worked on that
all week long, right?
Um, then we had a coupleerrant, like we start a drive at
the four, right?
Because we make a poordecision, and then we have a
penalty, we start a drive in the12, right?
And like we know in order to dothe things we want to do moving
(07:11):
forward, you can't keep doingthat against that's gonna kill
you against you know, good, goodopponents.
And you know, my college coachsaid all the time like you want
to be the best, you got to beatthe best, you gotta play uh, you
know, high level.
And uh, you know, I know thatthese three non-conference games
as a group now, as we go intoconference play, has gotten us
ready for uh for EA play forsure.
Rocky (07:32):
So, coach, I I I will tell you, I looked at the stats
because I was trying to followyou guys to see how I wonder how
they did, how'd they do?
So I'm following the stats, andI'm like, you guys dominated
the time of possession.
I think you guys were like 33,34 minutes to maybe 26.
And I'm like, the stats, I'mlike, man, they put they they
played well.
They played, you know, theyplayed well.
Coach Fagginao (07:52):
I think the only stat Oh, you guys outbeating
them by 387.
Yeah, crazy.
Rocky (07:58):
One of the stat lines I saw that um I and I and I think
my numbers are right, Dry.
Third down, you guys were threeof thirteen on third down.
So the third downs it seemedlike you guys struggle, but
everything else, every stat inthe category, you guys dominated
the game.
unknown (08:12):
Right.
Coach Fagginao (08:13):
And um that's why it was such a tough one, you
know.
And we've all played this game,um, coaches and players alike,
and you know, uh, you know, weknow what it's like, you know,
you you win a game, lose a game,and how you feel.
And um, this is one that youknow sit in our bell sat in our
bellies for a little bit andthey don't like that feeling,
and uh know that uh the team iscapable of some really good
(08:36):
things, and um that's why it wastough.
You know, it wasn't like wow,that was one, you know, and it
was a great game, but there wereso many things we did that we
did um that helped Hobart'sgame.
And they they played prettymistake free, you know, besides
her penalties, didn't turn theball over, uh, you know, sacked
our quarterback, created someturnovers on their end, um, did
(08:58):
a nice job in their specialteam.
So um but uh yeah, it'll becurious.
Yeah, I think that the tell thetale will be, you know, when
you're looking at you know, weekeight, nine, and ten, at the
end of this thing, you know,where everyone's sitting.
I think uh I think a lot ofteams are excited because
there's not one team.
I don't think in eitherconference in E8 or the Liberty
that's like the team right now.
(09:19):
I think, you know, um, youknow, whether that's the um
pirate or liberally, I thinkthose top three or three teams
or four teams in each league areare all within a score of each
other.
So I think you know there'ssome excitement to that on uh on
things to come.
Rocky (09:31):
Coach, talk about some of your guys.
Tyler had another good game foryou guys, 28 of 42 for 287.
He had the two scores, he wassacked four times um this game.
Bryce Palmer, your receivingcrew was good.
IT, you're I'm calling them IT.
I think that's what you werecalling them too, Isaiah.
I think well for you guys too,but talk about some of the guys
that played well for you.
Coach Fagginao (09:50):
Yeah, I mean, you know, you know, Tyler, Tyler
played well.
He was on the show, he tight inplayed well enough.
He's very hard on himself.
I love him.
Um, you know, and that's that'swhy he's a strong leader.
Um, you know, uh, you know,Bryce was just like amazed, 12
catches, amazing.
Yeah, I tell you, AntonioChanferrani had some like our
first touchdown was a fourth andten.
You know, tough grab over themiddle, fights to get in the end
(10:11):
zone.
Uh so Chin had two scores andplayed really well.
Our O lines battling.
Um, you know, we didn't haveour starting running back.
Uh Aze Frazier, hoping we havehim back this week.
And then uh, you know, midwayinto the game there, we lost
Jennai Strong, who was runningreally hard.
Um, so a couple of injuries atthat position.
Um, you know, Janaya will beout a little bit, but we're
hoping you're hoping to have Azeback this week and certainly
(10:34):
have some depth at the at therunning back spot.
You know, and then over on uhon defense, you know, Mason
Nolan got Empire DefensivePlayer of the Week, a couple of
sacks, um, played very well.
Isaiah Thomas played well.
Again, our defense made madesome plays, you know, to hold a
team.
Uh like Hobart's caliball to242 of offense is is something
to to to really, you know.
(10:55):
I know a lot of people,rightfully so, were talking
about our offense those firsttwo weeks.
Yeah, so definitely some goodconfidence for our defense to go
out and play some good physicalfootball and hold a team.
Uh they were they weren't verygood on third down.
We we really held them on thirddown as well.
I forget what it was, three at12 or 2 at 10 or something.
Um, and so definitely buildingon that.
(11:16):
Again, we have a lot offirst-time starters on our
defense.
Uh our D-line continues to playwell in front of uh in front of
IT, uh Jordan Davis, MasonMoranowitz, Mason Muscary, Nick
DeForest, and then the youngguys come in and Christian Roan
and Austin DeGroat and Jerome M.
Hard.
And so I think that's that'sreally helped us in the run
game, is being able to keep keepthat D line fresh and right
(11:38):
rotate those guys.
Rocky (11:39):
So, coach, now you have the one part of the season's
over, which is thenon-conference, and now you get
into the conference play.
So now you start the other partof your season.
What's the preparation like nowheading into conference play?
Different, obviously, thenon-conference play, but what
goes into that preparation nowcoming into uh league play?
Coach Fagginao (11:58):
Well, I think they all everyone gets excited.
You know, through therecruiting process, we just talk
and talk about you know howstrong the Empire Rate
conference is, you know, and youlook at how they we've done in
the playoffs over the years.
We have a really good playoffrecord as a conference.
You know, our teams, you know,we beat each other up, but
whoever gets in the tournamentis gonna, you know, win a few
rounds and make some noise.
(12:18):
And obviously a couple yearsago, you know, uh our conference
champ won the whole thing.
So, you know, um the guys areexcited, you know, and what's
unique uh coming into this week,you know, is you know, Alfred
State is new in the conference.
Rocky (12:30):
Yep.
Coach Fagginao (12:31):
Um, they're scrappy, they're tough, they
play with a chip on theirshoulder.
I like like you know, the jobCoach Lynn's done there.
They've won their conferencethe last couple of years.
They've gone to the NCAAplayoffs, they've played
Endicott, they've played MountUnion.
Um, and you can see that in howthey play.
They're pretty confident.
So it's the Pioneers versus thePioneers Saturday, hit Gaetano,
(12:52):
and um our guys know theEmpire's a great conference.
Uh, you know, welcome to AlfredState too.
I think it's just good for NewYork football.
Um, you know, I think BuffState should get in there too.
Like let's let's let's let'slet the Empire Aid grow.
You know, get non-conferencegames, as I told you, is tough.
But um yeah, and that'll be agood rival, I think.
Alfred State, Alfred U down thestreet from each other.
(13:12):
I think that'll be a good rivalfor for New York Division III
football.
Um, but uh the Empire Rate isone of the best conferences in
the country.
It's a physical conference, soour guys are excited.
Rocky (13:22):
Well, you just stole half my notes on Alfred State, so I
I gotta try to look at my otherpage here.
But uh, but let's talk.
I want to talk though about sothe non-conference schedule, you
you kind of highlighted andsaid, you know, those three
teams, which I agree, they'reall gonna have winning records,
all really good teams.
And now you come intoconference play.
Are you right about where youguys think you you should be
(13:43):
coming in the conference play?
Coach Fagginao (13:46):
I mean, I grudgingly, I grudgingly will
say yeah, you know, because I Iwould have liked for us to to to
be three and oh, but um, butfor sure, you know what I mean?
As far as and so again,sometimes you need that, you
know, sometimes you need that umuh whatever you want to call
it, you know, uh uh a littlewake-up call, whatever you want
to call it, uh, just to kind ofkeep everyone focused uh and
(14:08):
know that every play in afootball game matters.
We're certainly riding a nicehigh those first two weeks and
things were clicking.
Yeah, and um, yeah, we likethat feeling a lot better.
But uh, you know, uh we loveplaying at home.
Um, you know, looking forwardto to playing at home this week.
Uh, you know, a couple otherspecial things at the game.
Uh it's um first source federalcredit union.
(14:28):
Uh their CEO is uh is a UNICAalum, John Calabries, and uh
it's teacher appreciation game.
So all teachers out there cancome, you bring your school ID,
can get into the game for free.
Um we do some fun stuff withour guys, with all the first
source families, kids.
We do some autographs after thegame.
Uh, but really excited aboutEric Call, uh linebacker.
Uh I got to coach Eric for twoyears, was an unbelievable
(14:51):
linebacker for us.
And what's great is he lives inthe Utica area.
He originally from uh SpencerVenetton area, went to Spencer
Venetton High School out byElmira, and uh as a physical
therapist who works at the winand loves living in Utica.
Um so I'm really excited forEric and his family.
Uh he'll be getting inducted tothe Hall of Fame Friday night.
So, you know, a lot a lot ofpositive things going around uh,
(15:12):
you know, this weekend's gamecoming up.
Rocky (15:14):
And coach, you talked about Alford State.
They won the ECFC back-to-backseasons.
They've been to the NCAAtournament.
Um, I know you mentionedDundnikott who they lost to, but
it's a team that's familiarwith you know, tournament play
and winning conferencechampionships.
And now here they come into theEmpire A, which I think only
makes the conference that muchbetter uh getting them into the
conference uh play here with youguys.
(15:36):
They're off to a two-and-onestart.
They beat Hilbert College, Iknow who struggled uh for a
little while, but then you gotBuff State and then the Anderson
University in Indiana.
Is that a D2 school?
Coach Fagginao (15:48):
Listen, I I gotta tell, I don't even I
couldn't even tell you.
I watched the game.
Rocky (15:51):
I think it's a D.
I had to go back and look, andI'm looking.
I'm sure.
Coach Fagginao (15:54):
I wasn't sure if they're NIA and N AIA maybe.
I think they're division.
I'm not sure.
I have to go back.
I'm so focused on us.
I told you I'm gonna go.
Rocky (16:02):
I know they've they've they've played them the last
couple years, but that that'swho their loss is too.
But they got some talent, theygot a quarterback.
Coach Fagginao (16:09):
They missed a 10-yard field goal.
They missed a 10-yard fieldgoal to win that thing.
Coaches, I'm sure, you know, asmuch as upset about that loss
as we are with Hobart.
You know, like they that's agame that they certainly had the
opportunity to win.
Rocky (16:19):
But it seems like, Coach, they like to run the ball.
They got two good backs, theygot a junior and senior back
that I think one of them's gotover 50 carries for with seven
touchdowns, but they got aquarterback that's that
completes a lot of balls, andhe's a senior quarterback.
Coach Fagginao (16:33):
I'll tell you, he's done a great job.
I think what's challenging withthem is like they get into
every formation with the samepersonnel.
You know, so they'll be inquote unquote 12 personnel with
two tight ends, and the tightends are out receiver, or or
maybe really even you could say22 personnel, because both backs
are out there, both tight endsare out there, and they're in a
spread set, and one of therunning backs is out as a
(16:54):
receiver.
So um, you know, they're doingsome great things to spread the
field and spread you out and usethe whole field, and you know,
um, and you know, they do a nicejob of that.
The running back had a greatgame, they had a huge win uh
against Buff State for theirhomecoming.
They scored 56 points.
Um, so they you know they'reagain they're they're uh and you
can see it on their play,they're a confident, um,
(17:14):
confident football team, youknow, and so uh like you said,
it's just good for ourconference to have a team that's
come in that's won, that's oneuh their conference that has
some post on they're used toplaying in big games, and uh,
you know, uh it's you knowexciting.
Anytime you play someone, thisis not the this is actually not
the first time.
We played them in a one-offgame in 21, and we went to their
(17:35):
place, and it was it was like alast minute deal.
We lost a game, and um, someonedropped us from the Liberty
League.
Not gonna say, and uh uh CoachLynn was kind enough.
We played him at a four o'clockon a Saturday, and uh it was a
good football game and played attheir place.
So we played them once before.
Um, so it's uh yeah, the guysare amped up.
(17:56):
And they again, when you playNew York team, the kids know
guys on the team and know eachother, and they played against
each other in high school.
I think that's always a funpiece too.
Rocky (18:03):
And coach, I feel like we talk about this too every week,
where we talk about some of thecoaches that have been at these
programs for a long time andhave really built um a really
good foundation.
And and you just mentionedCoach Lynn here at Alfred State,
but I feel like every weekwe're talking about the coaches,
you know, the coaching in theEmpire, right?
And even in the games that umyou guys have played non-com, I
feel like the coaching is justit gets better and better, and
(18:26):
it's just it's really good fromtop to bottom.
Coach Fagginao (18:29):
I mean, the division three football in New
York State's outstanding.
Many of our coaches areproducts of you know, playing in
New York State and playing inthis league or either one of the
two leagues.
Um, you know, again, everyweek, like like Hobart, they did
some different stuff againstus, right?
That they, you know, and weknew it, we did our best to
prepare for it.
But, you know, that's thewhat's Alfred State gonna do,
(18:49):
right?
We got a funny feeling they'renot just gonna run the defense
that we've seen on film the lastfew weeks.
Every team we've played is, youknow, you know, doing different
things and and you know, tryingto uh you know cause some
confusion.
And um, that just goes thecredit to the coaching.
We have some great coaches inuh in New York State for sure.
Rocky (19:07):
And coach, I felt like we talked about the believe bowl
and how hyped up the guys wouldbe for that.
Now here you are, homecoming.
The guys will be pumped up andhyped up for that.
Talk to us about how specialthe homecoming is, some of the
activities going on at theschool, you know, for the game.
I mean, I know you mentionedteacher appreciation, but how
hyped are the kids will be forthis one?
Coach Fagginao (19:24):
Homecoming's big.
I mean, the tailgate, massive.
It's it starts at 9 a.m.
The tailgate will go after thegame.
Uh, they have this great uh youknow, uh, artisan and farmers
market now that kind of runsfrom the tailgate lot down to
the stadium by Casamento Field.
Um, they've done that the lastcouple of years, and that's a
lot of fun.
Um, they have all types ofalumni games.
I'm gonna mention them,probably forget some, but I know
(19:45):
there's alumni, men's women'sacross.
Uh so there's alumni games thisweekend.
So, you know, homecoming atgreat weather.
And then you know, all thefraternities and sororities over
the years that I builtrelationships with are they're
all in the office today gettingtheir tailgate passes, right?
So they know that that CoachFagiano give them some free free
12-man tailgate passes.
The hockey team was up gettingtheir passes today.
(20:05):
So um, you know, the the campuswill really be buzzing.
Uh, we had some great awardceremonies today.
Uh, there was a scholarshipluncheon.
Um, you know, one of our guysuh is getting a sportsmanship
award uh tomorrow night, NormanBooth, uh, who's an outstanding
linebacker and just just thehuge leader on campus was in the
school plays, schoolorganizations.
(20:26):
And um, so that you know, partof not only Eric Cole getting in
tomorrow, but we'll be able tohonor uh Norman Booth.
He's coming back.
Uh he's working uh constructionmanagement, uh he's got a job
down at Washington, D.C.
He's doing really well forhimself, coaching football.
So, you know, a lot ofpositives around homecoming uh
at Utica.
Rocky (20:42):
Coach, I feel like this year, and I mean obviously I
know Cortland State with thetradition that they have coming
off what two years ago, as youmentioned, they won the whole
thing.
Uh, but I feel like for somereason, I feel like this year
from top to bottom, I feel likethe umpire rates wide open.
I feel like anybody can win it.
Coach Fagginao (20:56):
I think everybody's good.
You know, again, you look it'sif you're looking at it and
you're a fan, and I get it, Idon't talk to my guys about this
at all unless they listen tothis, right?
Uh, but you know, they they seethat Cortland lost to Grove
City.
Rocky (21:10):
Yeah, right, right.
Coach Fagginao (21:12):
They see that we lost to Hobart, they see
Brockport lost to RPI, and youknow, they know they know that
it it it's uh it doesn't seemlike there's a team in either
league in New York um thatthat's that's dominant.
And um I think Hobart's playingIthaca this week.
So that'll be really that'll bea lot of eyes will be on that
game because I know Hobart hadbeat Ithaca last year uh en
(21:35):
route to to win in the uh theLiberty League, right?
So um, you know, certainly theguys they know that stuff, and
you know, uh they don't talkabout it too much, at least not
in front of the coaches or atpractice.
Like it's really focused on thegame plan, um, you know, our
execution of what we're lookingto do, uh making sure we can
have the best week of practice.
You know, I do have to give alittle side note, which is
(21:55):
great.
We had a great Sunday uh inUtica, um, our JV team.
Uh, we had a huge crowd.
They tailgated after the game,um, you know, played Alfred.
Um, you know, it was a greatfootball game, and up end up
shutting them out.
Um, a lot of fun.
All the guys got to play.
And so that was just another,it was a real you know, positive
finished uh tough Saturday.
Uh we had a real positiveSunday.
(22:16):
And then again this weekend,uh, I think a lot of parents are
coming up for the whole weekendbecause they've got homecoming
Saturday, and then Sunday, wehave an away Jade JB game at
Hartwick, which is just an hourhour south.
So I think we'll have a lot ofa lot of our parents coming up
for the for the whole weekend toUtica and come up past some
good Utica food and and supporttheir uh their pioneers.
Rocky (22:34):
So, coach, for this week, what'll be a couple keys for
you guys to get away with a witha homecoming win this week
against Alfred?
Coach Fagginao (22:40):
Yeah, each of the three aspects, um, our whole
team knows we have to getbetter at our kickoff and kick
return, number one, from aspecial team standpoint.
Uh defensively, open fieldtackling is big.
You know, all they're doingwith they they run a million
screens and they get theirathletes in space.
And so we have to be able toopen field tackle, you know, and
then offensively, I thinkagain, we have to be balanced.
(23:01):
We have to be able to run thefootball and throw the football.
Um, you know, that's somethingthat's been a focus, making sure
that whenever we're balanced onoffense, that makes our offense
that much better.
And uh, you know, those aresome key things I think going
into the game Saturday.
Rocky (23:15):
All right, you ready to pick some teams?
Sure.
You ready to see what we gothere?
So I told you we're we're deadeven.
You and I are dead even so far.
So last week I should I I wentwith my heart in Fordham.
Coach Fitz hats off to him, gothis first uh first win, first
Patriot League win.
I was at the game, great game.
Um they beat they beat Fordham,but there's some big, big games
(23:36):
here, and I'm gonna start withthe first one.
USC at Illinois, and Illinoisgot throttled, and I did not see
that happen.
They got throttled last week toIndiana.
Coach Fagginao (23:47):
Indiana got after him, which significantly
didn't help they lost theirstart in safety.
Rocky (23:52):
Correct.
Correct.
Coach Fagginao (23:54):
You know, but but still, um I was impressed
with that how physical Indianawas, you know.
Um, I know last week I wentwith Coach Bielamo because I
know him personally.
I think on this one I'm gonnago with USC.
Rocky (24:07):
Oh, okay.
Okay.
I actually am gonna ride withyou too.
I think I'm gonna go with USC.
I think USC is a team right nownobody's talking about because
they've been playing at 11o'clock at night.
Um, they got a really goodquarterback.
I think Lincoln Riley, I thinkthey probably go like 10 and 2.
So I'm I'm gonna ride with USCuh in this one, too.
So we got to disagree on someof these here, but we'll see.
Coach Fagginao (24:30):
We do.
We get one of these.
Rocky (24:31):
All right.
LSU undefeated against my guyLane Kiffin.
It's undefeated too.
Ole Miss has got their backupquarterback in, but the backup's
as good as the first stringer,if not better, is what they're
saying.
Any chance Lane Kiffin gets himat home.
This is a tough one.
Coach Fagginao (24:50):
Uh you know what?
I'm gonna I'm gonna go withyour guy, Lane Kiffin.
Rocky (24:53):
You're gonna go with Lane?
Okay.
All right.
I uh I I'm I gotta keep ridingwith him.
I'm a big Lane guy, man.
So I gotta go.
I gotta go with old miss.
I'm I'm not sure about LSU,only because I think that win
against Clemson, which was thefirst game of the year,
Clemson's really struggled.
So I don't know if Clemson'sjust down, but that that win.
Coach Fagginao (25:16):
By the way, yeah, that was a great win for
Coach Brown.
Great win.
Shout out to him in Syracuse.
Rocky (25:21):
All right, here's another big one.
Auburn at Texas AM.
AM is minus six and a half.
Auburn played really well lastweek.
Um Auburn had a really goodshot last week.
Coach Fagginao (25:35):
Who's Auburn's loss to?
Rocky (25:37):
Uh Auburn got beat last week.
Was it to Ole Miss last week?
Okay, yeah.
Um, no, it was to Oklahoma.
I'm sorry, Oklahoma, becausethe quarterback for Oklahoma
came from Auburn.
Um so that's their only lossright now is to Oklahoma.
Coach Fagginao (25:52):
We're gonna go, we're gonna go with the original
12th man.
We've copied them at Utica withour 12th man.
We'll go with the AM.
Rocky (25:58):
Okay.
All right.
I'm I'm on AM too, so we'regonna agree on that one.
Um, this is my this is myfavorite.
I'm a big time guy.
And that and I love JamesFranklin when um I know you know
who Herb Hand is, the WestMowin guy.
He played for my team.
Class that.
Class app.
Yeah.
He uh he played for my.
Coach Fagginao (26:17):
I see him in Hannaford in the summer.
It's like we're talking therefor 45 minutes.
Like he's the best.
Rocky (26:21):
So when he was at Penn State, we went down for the
spring game and spent some timedown there.
I got a chance to meet CoachFranklin, and I love him.
The knock is just he hasn'tbeen able to win the big game,
which is beat Ohio State, beatMichigan, who he doesn't have to
play this year.
This is one of those games.
He's got a huge opportunity,white out game in Happy Valley.
Oregon, Dan Landing's done afantastic job.
(26:43):
I don't think anybody's talkingabout Oregon in the Big Ten
because they're talking aboutOhio State and Penn State.
You think James Franklin getsthis one at home?
Coach Fagginao (26:53):
All right, here again, I think I'm gonna differ
on you on this.
All right.
And go against my heart wouldbe Penn State.
Because I'm a Penn State fan,but I'm gonna I'm trying to try
to beat you here.
I'm competitive, so I'm gonnago Oregon.
Rocky (27:06):
All right.
I am gonna go with Penn State.
I went back and forth on thatone.
I like Oregon.
I love Dane Lane.
Coach Fagginao (27:14):
My heart would go Penn State all day.
Rocky (27:16):
And then here's another big game.
Alabama's played really wellsince their loss.
They've played really well.
This is one if it was Sabanagainst Kirby Smart, they'd be
talking about it.
But Georgia at home, Georgia isactually only a two and a half
point favorite at home.
So Vegas must know something.
I love Kalen De Boer.
I think he's a great coach.
Tough spot following NickSaban.
(27:39):
But Alabama on the road, dothey get it done and find a way
to beat Georgia?
Coach Fagginao (27:44):
I'm gonna go Alabama.
Rocky (27:46):
Ooh.
All right.
We're gonna differ.
I'm I'm riding with Georgia.
Um, but I like Kalen De Boer.
I think it's a tough act tofollow Nick Saban.
He's a heck of a footballcoach.
He's a great football coach.
I wish he would have never leftWashington, but but I get it.
All right, and we gotta goSyracuse.
Duke Syracuse, Syracuse fourand minus four and a half.
(28:07):
They did lose their startingquarterback, so we'll see who's
who's behind him.
What a great kid, though.
What a great start he was off.
I think he was leading thecountry and passing.
Coach Fagginao (28:15):
He was.
He was again having a greathaving a great year.
This is tough.
Um, but I'm definitely goingSyracuse all the way.
Rocky (28:22):
Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna roll with the Qs too.
And a lot of people always geton me because I picked Syracuse
to go four and eight before theseason started, and everybody
was yelling at me.
And so, of course, when theywon now that they're three and
one, everybody's saying you wantto go back and change.
But I always say this aboutSyracuse coach and the ACC.
It's always like the GeorgiaTex, the Pitts, the NC States,
the Wakes.
(28:42):
It's like those middle of thepack teams, you don't know how
good they're gonna be.
Coach Fagginao (28:46):
Oh, yeah.
So I'm particularly in this inthis day and age, right?
Rocky (28:49):
I definitely didn't have them beat them.
Coach Fagginao (28:51):
They all have their own GMs, and how did they
how did the trades go?
Like it's it's a little, it's alittle different, you know, and
like it's all and how theybuilt the team and and how it's
crazy how they can have successso quickly.
Rocky (29:03):
I mean, it's definitely I don't think anybody had him
beaten Clemson.
And I feel bad for Dabblebecause I'm a Dabbo guy.
I I think he's obviously done agreat job there.
Class Act guy.
He said he's gonna keepcoaching whether they get rid of
him.
Mike Gundy, out at OklahomaState, who was there for a long
time.
Coach Fagginao (29:19):
I never liked that in the middle of the
season.
I think that's ridiculous, butnever a fan of that.
Rocky (29:23):
Now all those kids can jump in the transfer portal.
Coach Fagginao (29:26):
Yeah, never a fan of that.
Rocky (29:27):
Yeah, you know, which is crazy.
So, well, at least we got a fewgames.
You got you like Bama andOregon, so we defer there.
We both like AM.
Um, we both like USC.
We both like Ole Miss.
So I got a chance to pick youknow a couple games up on you um
this week, but but we'll see.
Coach, I think my son and I arecoming out, so we're excited.
We'll be out to watch the game.
Coach Fagginao (29:47):
Okay, very good.
I'll make sure I give you somesome passes that uh stop at the
world call table.
Rocky (29:52):
So hopefully I'll get a chance to uh to say hi to you.
And uh my son's all excitedbecause he's excited to come
watch, he loves coming to.
games.
Um was down in was down on thefield for Colgate Fordham.
It was awesome to be downthere.
Great great atmosphere therefor uh Coach Fitz and uh man
he's got a stud receiver.
He's got one of the bestreceivers in the country.
(30:13):
But does a great job and greatsomething to watch.
Coach Fagginao (30:17):
Did I just see he's up for the the Campbell
Award?
Is that on?
Rocky (30:20):
Yeah.
Coach Fagginao (30:20):
Yeah.
I'm very very happy for CoachFitz and and uh you know Coach
Dribino.
You know, love those guys andyou know know Coach Rogersford
well and the whole crew there.
And so that was I wasn'tsurprised at all.
Rocky (30:31):
You know and and uh you know I know uh you know say I
know Coach Lenahan at at Fordhamyou know what I mean and he I
know he's working his butt offand I got a chance to see him
you know Friday night uh whichwas good um and you know you
know now now James is marriedand and has daughter and so I
was able to catch up with thatand it's just crazy that the
last couple games were likeColgate's playing Villanova you
(30:52):
know they're they're coachingagainst Nick Woodman they're
playing you know playing Lenahanat Fordham so I know they had a
bye this week who'd they havenext uh Colgate you're talking
about yeah I think Colgate'splaying either Penn or um
Cornell I think they're playingone of the Ivies oh you know I
think it's Cornell yeah I thinkthey're Ivy's and then um they
(31:12):
get back into conference playand another one of my favorite
coaches to talk to when I playedagain he's a little older than
I was was Kevin Cahill at Lehighwho's they won uh they won the
Patriot League last year they'reranked again this year and man
he's done a great job done agreat job class sack local guy
remember going to seeing his dadand recruiting you know all the
time so old old the oldSpringfield quarterbacks man
(31:34):
they're tough tough he he's gota good coaching staff he's got
coach hunt the former Colgatecoach as the OC there and uh my
defensive coordinator when I wasat Ford and Rich Nag he's his D
coordinator there.
So he's got two twocoordinators with some a lot of
experience so he's got greatstaff so coach I will uh I'll
see you Saturday hopefully I'llget a chance to say hi to you
(31:56):
good luck and uh you know we'lldo it again next week and um
I'll track these picks and seeif I can pick up a few games on
you for bragging rights at theend of the season.
Coach Fagginao (32:05):
That sounds good I appreciate it.
Fear the moose we'll see youSaturday.
Rocky (32:08):
All right coach thank you.
So I had to brag the coachbecause I'm I'm the guy that
follows college football likecrazy and I he's he's got bigger
things to worry about.
He's got his own season thanthen turn on and uh and watch
college football.
But a lot of big games thisweek in college football uh him
and I are are are dead even uh alot of big games across the
(32:30):
board I'll be following them allOregon and Penn State is
definitely the game that I'll betuned into Saturday.
I'm a Big Ten guy as everybodythat follows my shows know that.
So I want to make sure I thankCoach Foz for tuning in tonight
with me.
I want to thank all the viewersout there.
If you're following me onYouTube hit subscribe if you're
following me on any of thesocial media channels just hit
subscribe and help share uh thegood word I'll let you know when
(32:52):
the Mohawk Valley Sports watchis set to return I'll be talking
to some of the high schoolcoaches as we're already heading
into week four of high schoolfootball which is scary.
We don't want to wish fall awaybut high school football is
already uh upon us here incentral New York.
So as I say on the rock pilethe rock pile is where dreams
become reality.
Have a good evening everybody
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