Rocky: 0:35

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to another live edition here on Inside Utica University Football Podcast with myself, Coach Little C. We'll bring on Coach the head coach of Utica University, Coach Blaze Fazziano, in just a moment. We'll get him on screen and talk about a tough game last week against L against Hobart, excuse me. We'll talk about their home opener, conference opener this week for homecoming, that and much more. If you're following on YouTube, make sure you hit the subscribe button. If you're watching on any of the social media platforms, if you have any questions or comments for Coach, I'll try to pull as many over as I can. Coach and I are tied with our picks. He's hanging in there. Um, we got some more games we'll pick tonight, uh, some big games in college football uh on Saturday, including the nightcap, the whiteout game, Penn State, and Oregon. 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 and this 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: 1:38

What's going on? Even though is there any game? What games are on tonight? I don't know what competition.

Rocky: 1:42

Well, we got we got NFL tonight. We got Seattle and Arizona, I believe, is tonight.

Coach Fagginao: 1:47

All right, but no, no New York teams.

Rocky: 1:50

We do not have any New York team. No Syracuse, none of that tonight. So we're not we're not up against any of that competition here tonight.

Coach Fagginao: 1:56

All right. But uh look forward to talking ball as always.

Rocky: 1:59

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 talking after a loss, but great game, close game. You guys had your opportunities. Let's talk about uh the whole bar game.

Coach Fagginao: 2:18

No, for sure. You know, um, you know, good football team. Um certainly had a plan to to pressure our quarterback and did a great job doing that right stacked us four times. Um but I really liked our resolve, like you know, we're we're you know, before we know it, you know, we give up a big kick return. And they, you know, their their field position was outstanding all day. Their two of their three touchdowns were on our side of the 50, inside the 30, uh, one being at the end of the game. Uh, and then they had a couple big kick returns where our kickoff team was struggling uh with our coverage, and they're you know, they're starting at their 40, you know, their the 43-yard line, and then you kind of all of a sudden you look up and we're down 13-nothing, right? And then that's kind of like what we did to RPI. And I just loved how we responded. Now we made it hard on ourselves because continuing to struggle a little bit with our field position, our terrible field position, but we had I'm gonna be off in the was like a 12-play drive or eight play drive, going the length of the field to go in halftime up, you know, after a really slow start. And so I really liked our guys' resolve and how we battled. And um, you know, again, this this game, it's crazy. Like you look at the stats, and then you know, unless you were there and watched it, you wonder how you know how'd they lose this game? You know, how do you hold the offense to 242 yards of offense? Right, our defense played played very well, gave us opportunities. Um, our offense, it just it we just missed it, right? We're we're up 17-14 with under three minutes to go. We need to find a way to to win, and you know, you want to call it get out with an ugly loss kind of situation. And then you always put in perspective like we're talking about Hobart. I couldn't tell you the last time that they've had a losing record, right? Very good team.

Rocky: 4:00

Yep.

Coach Fagginao: 4:01

Uh, I look back at our our first three, you know, non-league opponents, W and J, RPI, and and Hobart. Now, as we look back, I know a lot of people looked at that in the offseason, like, well, that that's a little different, you know, opening up your season, coach.

Rocky: 4:15

And um which they're all gonna have winning records at the end of the season.

Coach Fagginao: 4:19

Right, right. You put words in my mouth. They're all gonna have winning records. A good chance they all could get some type of postseason will be in the running for their their um you know conference championship. And then you look at you look at RPI beating Brockport in overtime, right? And then U of R, you know, and I like and coaches done a nice job of roster beat beating Fisher. So, you know, um I gotta tell you, like our coaches, our players, and it's so important to be on the same page. Um I think in your life, you never really like having to take a hard lesson. And we all took a hard lesson. And if like we're gonna take it, 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 what is always a tough Empire 8, you know, conference schedule. So you know, I think there were some things I told the guy there are some things that occurred in the first couple of games didn't matter because the score was so lopsided that really kind of got magnified, you know, in a closer fought uh ball game, you know, this past weekend. But um you know, it was tough. It took, you know, it took a little bit to flush that one, you know, just because we know that we had our opportunities and you know, just having great conversations with our players because they all know what's on the line as we work very hard to propel our program. We win the game, we're undefeated, 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. What matters is that we get better every week, that we do everything we can to put ourselves in contention to win the conference, right? And everything we can to to win as many games as we can to try to get to postseason of some sort, right? And so that stuff's all great and all things we aspire to as a young program. But at the end of the day, you know, we we we we needed that, you know, and it was it was a tough one, and um, but I can assure you that you know we've learned from it. And uh, you know, um, you know, again, credit to Hobart, and they played tough and hung in there, and uh, you know, we're uh we're certainly learned from that. We're gonna be hungry after that.

Rocky: 6:20

Well, coach, you talked about in a couple of our shows. You talked about the resilience of your team, the the leadership, strong leadership from top to bottom, and you get down a couple scores, you put two really good drives together in the second quarter. I think you had a 13-play drive, then you had a long 88-yard drive, and then you come out in the third quarter and you have a 10-play drive, an 80-yard drive. So the resilience of this team where they fell behind, it didn't even seem to phase phase you guys.

Coach Fagginao: 6:48

They're they're a tough group, you know. The the hidden yards got us. Like they, you know, we we gave up 117 yards and kick return. We got to obviously we're working, we've worked on that all week long, right? Um, then we had a couple errant, like we start a drive at the four, right? Because we make a poor decision, and then we have a penalty, we start a drive in the 12, right? And like we know in order to do the things we want to do moving forward, you can't keep doing that against that's gonna kill you against you know, good, good opponents. And you know, my college coach said all the time like you want to be the best, you got to beat the best, you gotta play uh, you know, high level. And uh, you know, I know that these three non-conference games as a group now, as we go into conference play, has gotten us ready for uh for EA play for sure.

Rocky: 7:32

So, coach, I I I will tell you, I looked at the stats because I was trying to follow you guys to see how I wonder how they did, how'd they do? So I'm following the stats, and I'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'm like, man, they put they they played well. They played, you know, they played well.

Coach Fagginao: 7:52

I think the only stat Oh, you guys outbeating them by 387. Yeah, crazy.

Rocky: 7:58

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 three of thirteen on third down. So the third downs it seemed like you guys struggle, but everything else, every stat in the category, you guys dominated the game.

unknown: 8:12

Right.

Coach Fagginao: 8:13

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, we know what it's like, you know, you you win a game, lose a game, and how you feel. And um, this is one that you know sit in our bell sat in our bellies for a little bit and they don't like that feeling, and uh know that uh the team is capable of some really good things, and um that's why it was tough. You know, it wasn't like wow, that was one, you know, and it was a great game, but there were so many things we did that we did um that helped Hobart's game. And they they played pretty mistake free, you know, besides her penalties, didn't turn the ball over, uh, you know, sacked our quarterback, created some turnovers on their end, um, did a nice job in their special team. So um but uh yeah, it'll be curious. Yeah, I think that the tell the tale will be, you know, when you're looking at you know, week eight, nine, and ten, at the end of this thing, you know, where everyone's sitting. I think uh I think a lot of teams are excited because there's not one team. I don't think in either conference in E8 or the Liberty that's like the team right now. I think, you know, um, you know, whether that's the um pirate or liberally, I think those top three or three teams or four teams in each league are are all within a score of each other. So I think you know there's some excitement to that on uh on things to come.

Rocky: 9:31

Coach, talk about some of your guys. Tyler had another good game for you guys, 28 of 42 for 287. He had the two scores, he was sacked four times um this game. Bryce Palmer, your receiving crew was good. IT, you're I'm calling them IT. I think that's what you were calling them too, Isaiah. I think well for you guys too, but talk about some of the guys that played well for you.

Coach Fagginao: 9:50

Yeah, I mean, you know, you know, Tyler, Tyler played well. He was on the show, he tight in played well enough. He's very hard on himself. I love him. Um, you know, and that's that's why he's a strong leader. Um, you know, uh, you know, Bryce was just like amazed, 12 catches, amazing. Yeah, I tell you, Antonio Chanferrani had some like our first touchdown was a fourth and ten. You know, tough grab over the middle, fights to get in the end zone. Uh so Chin had two scores and played really well. Our O lines battling. Um, you know, we didn't have our starting running back. Uh Aze Frazier, hoping we have him back this week. And then uh, you know, midway into the game there, we lost Jennai Strong, who was running really hard. Um, so a couple of injuries at that position. Um, you know, Janaya will be out a little bit, but we're hoping you're hoping to have Aze back this week and certainly have some depth at the at the running back spot. You know, and then over on uh on defense, you know, Mason Nolan got Empire Defensive Player of the Week, a couple of sacks, um, played very well. Isaiah Thomas played well. Again, our defense made made some plays, you know, to hold a team. Uh like Hobart's caliball to 242 of offense is is something to to to really, you know. I know a lot of people, rightfully so, were talking about our offense those first two weeks. Yeah, so definitely some good confidence for our defense to go out and play some good physical football and hold a team. Uh they were they weren't very good on third down. We we really held them on third down as well. I forget what it was, three at 12 or 2 at 10 or something. Um, and so definitely building on that. Again, we have a lot of first-time starters on our defense. Uh our D-line continues to play well in front of uh in front of IT, uh Jordan Davis, Mason Moranowitz, Mason Muscary, Nick DeForest, and then the young guys come in and Christian Roan and Austin DeGroat and Jerome M. Hard. And so I think that's that's really helped us in the run game, is being able to keep keep that D line fresh and right rotate those guys.

Rocky: 11:39

So, coach, now you have the one part of the season's over, which is the non-conference, and now you get into the conference play. So now you start the other part of your season. What's the preparation like now heading into conference play? Different, obviously, the non-conference play, but what goes into that preparation now coming into uh league play?

Coach Fagginao: 11:58

Well, I think they all everyone gets excited. You know, through the recruiting process, we just talk and talk about you know how strong the Empire Rate conference is, you know, and you look at how they we've done in the playoffs over the years. We have a really good playoff record as a conference. You know, our teams, you know, we beat each other up, but whoever gets in the tournament is gonna, you know, win a few rounds and make some noise. And obviously a couple years ago, you know, uh our conference champ won the whole thing. So, you know, um the guys are excited, 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 their shoulder. I like like you know, the job Coach Lynn's done there. They've won their conference the last couple of years. They've gone to the NCAA playoffs, they've played Endicott, they've played Mount Union. Um, and you can see that in how they play. They're pretty confident. So it's the Pioneers versus the Pioneers Saturday, hit Gaetano, and um our guys know the Empire's a great conference. Uh, you know, welcome to Alfred State too. I think it's just good for New York football. Um, you know, I think Buff State should get in there too. Like let's let's let's let's let the Empire Aid grow. You know, get non-conference games, as I told you, is tough. But um yeah, and that'll be a good rival, I think. Alfred State, Alfred U down the street from each other. I think that'll be a good rival for for New York Division III football. Um, but uh the Empire Rate is one of the best conferences in the country. It's a physical conference, so our 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 other page here. But uh, but let's talk. I want to talk though about so the non-conference schedule, you you kind of highlighted and said, you know, those three teams, which I agree, they're all gonna have winning records, all really good teams. And now you come into conference play. Are you right about where you guys think you you should be coming in the conference play?

Coach Fagginao: 13:46

I mean, I grudgingly, I grudgingly will say yeah, you know, because I I would have liked for us to to to be three and oh, but um, but for sure, you know what I mean? As far as and so again, sometimes you need that, you know, sometimes you need that um uh whatever you want to call it, you know, uh uh a little wake-up call, whatever you want to call it, uh, just to kind of keep everyone focused uh and know that every play in a football game matters. We're certainly riding a nice high those first two weeks and things were clicking. Yeah, and um, yeah, we like that feeling a lot better. But uh, you know, uh we love playing at home. Um, you know, looking forward to to playing at home this week. Uh, you know, a couple other special things at the game. Uh it's um first source federal credit union. Uh their CEO is uh is a UNICA alum, John Calabries, and uh it's teacher appreciation game. So all teachers out there can come, you bring your school ID, can get into the game for free. Um we do some fun stuff with our guys, with all the first source families, kids. We do some autographs after the game. Uh, but really excited about Eric Call, uh linebacker. Uh I got to coach Eric for two years, was an unbelievable linebacker for us. And what's great is he lives in the Utica area. He originally from uh Spencer Venetton area, went to Spencer Venetton High School out by Elmira, and uh as a physical therapist who works at the win and loves living in Utica. Um so I'm really excited for Eric and his family. Uh he'll be getting inducted to the Hall of Fame Friday night. So, you know, a lot a lot of positive things going around uh, you know, this weekend's game coming up.

Rocky: 15:14

And coach, you talked about Alford State. They won the ECFC back-to-back seasons. They've been to the NCAA tournament. Um, I know you mentioned Dundnikott who they lost to, but it's a team that's familiar with you know, tournament play and winning conference championships. And now here they come into the Empire A, which I think only makes the conference that much better uh getting them into the conference uh play here with you guys. They're off to a two-and-one start. They beat Hilbert College, I know who struggled uh for a little while, but then you got Buff 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, and I'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's who their loss is too. But they got some talent, they got a quarterback.

Coach Fagginao: 16:09

They missed a 10-yard field goal. They missed a 10-yard field goal to win that thing. Coaches, I'm sure, you know, as much as upset about that loss as we are with Hobart. You know, like they that's a game 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, they got a junior and senior back that I think one of them's got over 50 carries for with seven touchdowns, but they got a quarterback that's that completes a lot of balls, and he's a senior quarterback.

Coach Fagginao: 16:33

I'll tell you, he's done a great job. I think what's challenging with them is like they get into every formation with the same personnel. You know, so they'll be in quote unquote 12 personnel with two tight ends, and the tight ends are out receiver, or or maybe really even you could say 22 personnel, because both backs are out there, both tight ends are out there, and they're in a spread set, and one of the running backs is out as a receiver. So um, you know, they're doing some great things to spread the field and spread you out and use the whole field, and you know, um, and you know, they do a nice job of that. The running back had a great game, they had a huge win uh against Buff State for their homecoming. They scored 56 points. Um, so they you know they're again they're they're uh and you can see it on their play, they're a confident, um, confident football team, you know, and so uh like you said, it's just good for our conference to have a team that's come in that's won, that's one uh their conference that has some post on they're used to playing in big games, and uh, you know, uh it's you know exciting. Anytime you play someone, this is not the this is actually not the first time. We played them in a one-off game in 21, and we went to their place, and it was it was like a last minute deal. We lost a game, and um, someone dropped us from the Liberty League. Not gonna say, and uh uh Coach Lynn was kind enough. We played him at a four o'clock on a Saturday, and uh it was a good football game and played at their place. So we played them once before. Um, so it's uh yeah, the guys are amped up. And they again, when you play New York team, the kids know guys on the team and know each other, and they played against each other in high school. I think that's always a fun piece too.

Rocky: 18:03

And coach, I feel like we talk about this too every week, where we talk about some of the coaches that have been at these programs for a long time and have really built um a really good foundation. And and you just mentioned Coach Lynn here at Alfred State, but I feel like every week we're talking about the coaches, you know, the coaching in the Empire, right? And even in the games that um you guys have played non-com, I feel like the coaching is just it gets better and better, and it's just it's really good from top to bottom.

Coach Fagginao: 18:29

I mean, the division three football in New York State's outstanding. Many of our coaches are products of you know, playing in New York State and playing in this league or either one of the two leagues. Um, you know, again, every week, like like Hobart, they did some different stuff against us, right? That they, you know, and we knew it, we did our best to prepare for it. But, you know, that's the what's Alfred State gonna do, right? We got a funny feeling they're not just gonna run the defense that we've seen on film the last few weeks. Every team we've played is, you know, you know, doing different things and and you know, trying to uh you know cause some confusion. And um, that just goes the credit to the coaching. We have some great coaches in uh 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 would be for that. Now here you are, homecoming. The guys will be pumped up and hyped up for that. Talk to us about how special the homecoming is, some of the activities going on at the school, you know, for the game. I mean, I know you mentioned teacher appreciation, but how hyped are the kids will be for this 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 the game. Uh, they have this great uh you know, uh, artisan and farmers market now that kind of runs from the tailgate lot down to the stadium by Casamento Field. Um, they've done that the last couple of years, and that's a lot of fun. Um, they have all types of alumni games. I'm gonna mention them, probably forget some, but I know there's alumni, men's women's across. Uh so there's alumni games this weekend. So, you know, homecoming at great weather. And then you know, all the fraternities and sororities over the years that I built relationships with are they're all in the office today getting their tailgate passes, right? So they know that that Coach Fagiano give them some free free 12-man tailgate passes. The hockey team was up getting their passes today. So um, you know, the the campus will really be buzzing. Uh, we had some great award ceremonies today. Uh, there was a scholarship luncheon. Um, you know, one of our guys uh is getting a sportsmanship award uh tomorrow night, Norman Booth, uh, who's an outstanding linebacker and just just the huge leader on campus was in the school plays, school organizations. And um, so that you know, part of not only Eric Cole getting in tomorrow, but we'll be able to honor uh Norman Booth. He's coming back. Uh he's working uh construction management, uh he's got a job down at Washington, D.C. He's doing really well for himself, coaching football. So, you know, a lot of positives around homecoming uh at Utica.

Rocky: 20:42

Coach, I feel like this year, and I mean obviously I know Cortland State with the tradition that they have coming off what two years ago, as you mentioned, they won the whole thing. Uh, but I feel like for some reason, I feel like this year from top to bottom, I feel like the 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's if you're looking at it and you're a fan, and I get it, I don't talk to my guys about this at all unless they listen to this, right? Uh, but you know, they they see that 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 you know, they know they know that it it it's uh it doesn't seem like there's a team in either league in New York um that that's that's dominant. And um I think Hobart's playing Ithaca this week. So that'll be really that'll be a lot of eyes will be on that game because I know Hobart had beat Ithaca last year uh en route to to win in the uh the Liberty League, right? So um, you know, certainly the guys they know that stuff, and you know, uh they don't talk about it too much, at least not in front of the coaches or at practice. Like it's really focused on the game plan, um, you know, our execution of what we're looking to do, uh making sure we can have the best week of practice. You know, I do have to give a little side note, which is great. We had a great Sunday uh in Utica, 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 great football 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 positive Sunday. And then again this weekend, uh, I think a lot of parents are coming up for the whole weekend because they've got homecoming Saturday, and then Sunday, we have an away Jade JB game at Hartwick, which is just an hour hour south. So I think we'll have a lot of a lot of our parents coming up for the for the whole weekend to Utica and come up past some good Utica food and and support their 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 with a homecoming win this week against Alfred?

Coach Fagginao: 22:40

Yeah, each of the three aspects, um, our whole team knows we have to get better at our kickoff and kick return, number one, from a special team standpoint. Uh defensively, open field tackling is big. You know, all they're doing with they they run a million screens and they get their athletes in space. And so we have to be able to open field tackle, you know, and then offensively, I think again, we have to be balanced. We have to be able to run the football and throw the football. Um, you know, that's something that's been a focus, making sure that whenever we're balanced on offense, that makes our offense that much better. And uh, you know, those are some 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 got here? So I told you we're we're dead even. You and I are dead even so far. So last week I should I I went with my heart in Fordham. Coach Fitz hats off to him, got his 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 here, and I'm gonna start with the first one. USC at Illinois, and Illinois got throttled, and I did not see that happen. They got throttled last week to Indiana.

Coach Fagginao: 23:47

Indiana got after him, which significantly didn't help they lost their start in safety.

Rocky: 23:52

Correct. Correct.

Coach Fagginao: 23:54

You know, but but still, um I was impressed with that how physical Indiana was, you know. Um, I know last week I went with Coach Bielamo because I know him personally. I think on this one I'm gonna go with USC.

Rocky: 24:07

Oh, okay. Okay. I actually am gonna ride with you too. I think I'm gonna go with USC. I think USC is a team right now nobody's talking about because they've been playing at 11 o'clock at night. Um, they got a really good quarterback. I think Lincoln Riley, I think they probably go like 10 and 2. So I'm I'm gonna ride with USC uh in this one, too. So we got to disagree on some of 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 guy Lane Kiffin. It's undefeated too. Ole Miss has got their backup quarterback in, but the backup's as good as the first stringer, if not better, is what they're saying. Any chance Lane Kiffin gets him at home. This is a tough one.

Coach Fagginao: 24:50

Uh you know what? I'm gonna I'm gonna go with your guy, Lane Kiffin.

Rocky: 24:53

You're gonna go with Lane? Okay. All right. I uh I I'm I gotta keep riding with 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 the first game of the year, Clemson's really struggled. So I don't know if Clemson's just 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 last week. Um Auburn had a really good shot 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, because the quarterback for Oklahoma came from Auburn. Um so that's their only loss right 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 with our 12th man. We'll go with the AM.

Rocky: 25:58

Okay. All right. I'm I'm on AM too, so we're gonna agree on that one. Um, this is my this is my favorite. I'm a big time guy. And that and I love James Franklin when um I know you know who Herb Hand is, the West Mowin 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 there for 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 time down there. I got a chance to meet Coach Franklin, and I love him. The knock is just he hasn't been able to win the big game, which is beat Ohio State, beat Michigan, 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 a fantastic job. I don't think anybody's talking about Oregon in the Big Ten because they're talking about Ohio State and Penn State. You think James Franklin gets this 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 would be 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 gonna go Oregon.

Rocky: 27:06

All right. I am gonna go with Penn State. I went back and forth on that one. 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 well since their loss. They've played really well. This is one if it was Saban against Kirby Smart, they'd be talking about it. But Georgia at home, Georgia is actually 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 Nick Saban. But Alabama on the road, do they 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 to follow Nick Saban. He's a heck of a football coach. He's a great football coach. I wish he would have never left Washington, but but I get it. All right, and we gotta go Syracuse. Duke Syracuse, Syracuse four and minus four and a half. They did lose their starting quarterback, 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 the country and passing.

Coach Fagginao: 28:15

He was. He was again having a great having a great year. This is tough. Um, but I'm definitely going Syracuse all the way.

Rocky: 28:22

Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna roll with the Qs too. And a lot of people always get on me because I picked Syracuse to go four and eight before the season started, and everybody was yelling at me. And so, of course, when they won now that they're three and one, everybody's saying you want to go back and change. But I always say this about Syracuse coach and the ACC. It's always like the Georgia Tex, the Pitts, the NC States, the Wakes. It's like those middle of the pack teams, you don't know how good they're gonna be.

Coach Fagginao: 28:46

Oh, yeah. So I'm particularly in this in this 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 a little different, you know, and like it's all and how they built the team and and how it's crazy how they can have success so quickly.

Rocky: 29:03

I mean, it's definitely I don't think anybody had him beaten Clemson. And I feel bad for Dabble because I'm a Dabbo guy. I I think he's obviously done a great job there. Class Act guy. He said he's gonna keep coaching whether they get rid of him. Mike Gundy, out at Oklahoma State, 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, but never 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 few games. You got you like Bama and Oregon, 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 you know a couple games up on you um this week, but but we'll see. Coach, I think my son and I are coming 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 some some 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 excited because he's excited to come watch, he loves coming to. games. Um was down in was down on the field for Colgate Fordham. It was awesome to be down there. Great great atmosphere there for uh Coach Fitz and uh man he's got a stud receiver. He's got one of the best receivers in the country. But does a great job and great something 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 Coach Fitz and and uh you know Coach Dribino. You know, love those guys and you know know Coach Rogersford well and the whole crew there. And so that was I wasn't surprised at all.

Rocky: 30:31

You know and and uh you know I know uh you know say I know Coach Lenahan at at Fordham you know what I mean and he I know he's working his butt off and I got a chance to see him you know Friday night uh which was good um and you know you know now now James is married and and has daughter and so I was able to catch up with that and it's just crazy that the last couple games were like Colgate's playing Villanova you know they're they're coaching against Nick Woodman they're playing you know playing Lenahan at Fordham so I know they had a bye this week who'd they have next uh Colgate you're talking about yeah I think Colgate's playing either Penn or um Cornell I think they're playing one of the Ivies oh you know I think it's Cornell yeah I think they're Ivy's and then um they get back into conference play and another one of my favorite coaches to talk to when I played again he's a little older than I was was Kevin Cahill at Lehigh who's they won uh they won the Patriot League last year they're ranked again this year and man he's done a great job done a great job class sack local guy remember going to seeing his dad and recruiting you know all the time so old old the old Springfield quarterbacks man they're tough tough he he's got a good coaching staff he's got coach hunt the former Colgate coach as the OC there and uh my defensive coordinator when I was at Ford and Rich Nag he's his D coordinator there. So he's got two two coordinators with some a lot of experience so he's got great staff so coach I will uh I'll see you Saturday hopefully I'll get a chance to say hi to you good luck and uh you know we'll do it again next week and um I'll track these picks and see if I can pick up a few games on you for bragging rights at the end of the season.

Coach Fagginao: 32:05

That sounds good I appreciate it. Fear the moose we'll see you Saturday.

Rocky: 32:08

All right coach thank you. So I had to brag the coach because I'm I'm the guy that follows college football like crazy and I he's he's got bigger things to worry about. He's got his own season than then turn on and uh and watch college football. But a lot of big games this week in college football uh him and I are are are dead even uh a lot of big games across the board I'll be following them all Oregon and Penn State is definitely the game that I'll be tuned into Saturday. I'm a Big Ten guy as everybody that follows my shows know that. So I want to make sure I thank Coach Foz for tuning in tonight with me. I want to thank all the viewers out there. If you're following me on YouTube hit subscribe if you're following me on any of the social media channels just hit subscribe and help share uh the good word I'll let you know when the Mohawk Valley Sports watch is set to return I'll be talking to some of the high school coaches as we're already heading into week four of high school football which is scary. We don't want to wish fall away but high school football is already uh upon us here in central New York. So as I say on the rock pile the rock pile is where dreams become reality. Have a good evening everybody