Rocky: 0:35

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to another live edition here on Inside Utica University Football Podcast here on the Rock Pile tonight, episode number five here with Coach Faziano. We'll bring Coach on here in just a second. We'll be recapping last week's big homecoming win and then the big game this week against nationally ranked Cortland State. So we'll talk to Coach about that and much more. If you're tuning in tonight across all the social media platforms, make sure to hit subscribe and uh share the videos as much as you can. We've been averaging over about 4,000 uh views with Coach and I. It's been a it's been a fun show. I'm looking through my stuff here, and it's hard to believe it's already week five of the shows here in the game. So the season goes really quick here in the fall. You wish it upon us, and then next thing you know, you turn around, you look, and you say, Where'd the season go? And the fall weather's here. It was nice, nice and cool tonight at practice. I know coach mentioned the same thing, the weather's starting to turn. So excited for that, excited for all that and more tonight. Again, if you're following on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast too as well. I appreciate you listening and tuning in on all the podcast platforms. Make sure to hit subscribe on YouTube. And if you got a question or comment for Coach tonight, put it in the comment box. We'll bring over as many as we can. So let's bring Coach on. There he is. Coach, what's happening tonight? Yankees. Go Yankees. Yeah, I was telling you, my dad called and he's like, you know, you guys are up against the Yankee game tonight. I said, Dad, I know. We go a half hour, maybe we'll miss a couple innings. And then there's a football game on at nine. There's a college game on tonight. Sam Houston State and um oh who they who's Sam Houston playing tonight. I was looking at the games tonight. Uh New Mexico State. So we got a college game on.

Coach Faggiano: 2:16

Those are always those are always good games.

Rocky: 2:18

They're always good games. I feel like all those late games sometimes, some of the ones are on at 10 and 11. Nobody pays attention to. They end up being really good games. So, coach, let's uh let's get to it. Um, I was at this one last week, and I was telling you when we came on, I walked through the tailgate, and man, though those kids were getting after, they were having a lot of fun. It was packed over in that tailgate area.

Coach Faggiano: 2:41

Homecoming at Utica is the real deal. Everyone comes back home, and you know, it's it's always the same thing during the week. You know, all the sororities come up, you know, coach, can we get our tailgate passes and the hockey team and the different lacrosse teams? And and um, you know, it's really just a fun atmosphere and you know, really unique this year because for the first time uh we inducted our Hall of Fame the same weekend, and I know they they felt went very well. You know, Friday night was the the ceremony uh along with our Knight of Square Society folks, and and then but then uh honoring the Hall of Famers at halftime was really special. So so some unique things this year at homecoming.

Rocky: 3:19

Yeah, and coach, let's start with it too, Alford State, their first year in the conference. We talked about that on a couple of the shows here coming into uh last week. You guys had I I loved it. Special teams was the big story here for you guys. You guys had some black punts, a big black punt that set up your first score. Talk about how special the special team play was for you guys.

Coach Faggiano: 3:39

Well, I mean, it was huge. You know, it every year there's those guys that all of a sudden make the decision to be dominant on special teams, right? So like Nate Hernandez started week one, had a couple struggles. His name was called again this week, and just came out and played outstanding. Not only did he block the two puns, but then he was his punt coverage was outstanding. Um, you know, so really, really like how he stepped up, um, you know, just a sophomore safety uh, you know, out of the Albany area. And you know, then the you know Brion Campbell comes in and blocks a field goal, which is huge. And you know, we go to do the bloop kick and uh you know, really heads-up play by Tony Rzinski, you know, Whitesboro here and local guy, and recovers the fumble on their sideline. And what was really great about it is you know we blocked the punt, we recovered the fumble, we do have the interception on defense, and our offense scored on all those opportunities early. Um, and uh so definitely, you know, you know, was was happy with that. Now it didn't end the way I wanted. Everyone's wondering why I'm upset. Well, because we gave up a kicker turn for a touchdown at the end of the game, you know. But uh their running back's a good player, you know. We had six touchdowns the week before. Um, it's like literally, it's like they're running up the middle or they're pitching the ball out on the numbers, so there's some challenges to that. And uh, you know, but just like how our kids played overall.

Rocky: 4:54

Coach, I know you've been talking since we've been doing a show. Your defense just flies around, and this was the first time I got to see him in person. And some of the some of those guys on the back ends, the linebackers, the DBs, they were all over the field flying around and making plays. I think you guys held um Alfred State, I think just under 70 yards rushing, but that defense really flew around.

Coach Faggiano: 5:15

You know, uh Coach McClendon, you know, we talk about in our defensive meetings and uh, you know, run into the football, you know, run into the football. And that's one thing our guys do. Um, it may not always be pretty, but if a guy misses a tackle, there's two or three more guys that are that are going to show up, you know, and and uh and so definitely like uh how it uh with the intent that that group is playing for sure.

Rocky: 5:36

Coach, and I know this game that the score was a little out of hand late in the game, and I know you as as all coaches would say, you guys gave up that kick return for a touchdown, so you were disappointed in that. But you guys feature, I think you guys played all your quarterbacks. There are some different formations, a lot of quarterback runs. How nice is it to be able to get some of those guys into the game?

Coach Faggiano: 5:55

Oh, that's just huge. We would buy in. You know, I was I was looking at our game notes quick tonight, and just the number of different receivers and ball carriers, uh, it was pretty impressive. The fact that Polaris comes in in our in our Raven package and did a great job. And and then it was the first that we saw. You know, we've had that package for Nazir and kind of unveiled that a little bit, got done on film. Both those guys are New Jersey guys, very committed. You know, Coach uh Zanelovic's got a great quarterback room right now, you know, and then Fuller gets an opportunity, goes five for five, and throws a touchdown pass to Gabe. And so uh, you know, certainly was was pleased how those guys played. You know, as the game went on, it was like we just made the decision we're gonna run the ball and and stay healthy going into the next week, you know, is kind of what happened. But you know, one of the things in football they talk about is the middle eight. And so I was really pleased with how we played in the middle eight minutes of the of the of the game. Um, you know, and uh you know, the the what was really wild was scoring before half. I mean, I think it was under a minute, you know, 54 seconds, and we go the length of the field and score a touchdown. And so that yeah, that was a really uh big going in, uh going into halftime, being able to score like that.

Rocky: 7:02

And coach, I know when we talked during the season two earlier in the year, we said, and I thought you guys had one of the best, not only quarterback rooms, but skilled rooms with receivers, your running backs, and a group that you were bringing back. A lot of guys are been have been catching balls from Tyler. I mean, Bryce was Bryce, 10 catches, 112 yards. Ty was tie with 285 yards and four touchdowns. But talk to us a little bit about the skilled guys and how special they are for you guys.

Coach Faggiano: 7:27

Oh, for sure, and and and showing some depth. You know, everyone kind of by now knows we lost Tyson Taylor. Uh, you know, unfortunately broke his caliber number 13, just an amazing young man out of Syracuse IT. And and um, you know, losing him is is a big big hurt, but other guys have stepped up and you know, Lorenzo Velez and Games of Walla, and some guys and stepping up into those roles. And then and then using Logan, uh Frederick, you know, both not only as an on-ball, offball tight end, but as a receiver. Um, you know, I think those have been things that that have helped uh you know helped our offense as far as you know being balanced.

Rocky: 7:59

And coach, I know we always talk special teams, and we talked about the Black Punts, but I want you to talk about the kickers too, because I think your punter had three kicks down inside the 20. I think you made all six extra points, and I think Nico kicked, I think, a 23, 24-yard field goal. So special teams all around had a good day.

Coach Faggiano: 8:15

Nico, Nico, uh great middle extra points, had a nice field goal. You know, we obviously wanted a touchdown there, but we needed the field goal. I think that took us from 35 to 38 points. Um, had a great bloop kick. He's really talented at doing those types of kicks, and and that's helped our kickoff team and take some pressure off of those guys. Um, you know, particularly when you play some dynamic returners, it's you know, the ability to bloop uh you know is key to be able to do that and try not to put it in the hands of a team's best player. Um, you know, and then Devin Taylor, you know, he's a very talented punter out of Tampa, Florida. He's a physical therapy major, and Devin uh I think he averaged 40 and it got along a 50. And you're right, he had a few inside the 20, so he really played well um in his role, too.

Rocky: 8:57

And on the defensive side of the ball, I finally, again, I got a chance to see some of these guys in person. And Isaiah IT was special for you, had a nice game. I think he had seven or eight tackles. Uh, and then CJ played well as too, but those guys up front can move as well.

Coach Faggiano: 9:11

They can't. I thought Jordan Davis was really dominant in the game. Um, they had a hard time blocking uh JD, as we call him, and uh, you know, the whole group, you know, Moranowitz, um, DeForest, and then we rotate guys in. Uh, you know, Nemhart, Jerome, Austin DeGroat, Christian, uh, Param Roan, those guys all rotate in and they're making plays, and then that buck position makes them scary. Uh, Cam Brister, like rotating those guys and keeping them fresh. That kind of helps free up those linebackers, you know, whether it be uh, you know, we call them IT, right? IT, Isaiah Thomas or CJ or Luke Sheldon. Um, you know, I think it's a it's it's makes it nice playing behind those big bodies up front and they're they're playing uh they're playing physical.

Rocky: 9:50

Coach, how nice it is because it seemed like you were able to get a lot of guys on both sides of the ball in um in this past week's game against Alfred State. Talk to us a little bit about how nice it is to get some of those guys in there and get them some experience.

Coach Faggiano: 10:02

Well, yeah, you know, it's something that you know we'd like to be able to do more of, you know. Uh I can I can tell you in the past, you know, I've been frustrated where it's like we haven't been able to do that, you know what I mean, and in a in a game where you're hoping, you know, if if you think that's gonna happen, then it never happens, right? If you expect you're gonna go in and beat somebody by three, four scores and get everybody in the game, right? Like, you know, it just kind of happens and certainly uh appreciate it. We got ourselves in that position so we could get those guys those game reps, you know what I mean? Get the second offensive line out there, uh get some other guys on defense out there, um, you know, get those, you know, get those guys like a Joey Gentile that's a package guy out of Proctor at safety, but then all of a sudden you got to get some good reps at safety there and give Eli a blow. So, you know, you know, some of those guys um that's just big for them, you know what I mean? So it just makes for a great, great homecoming, you know, weekend, and then the JBs went down to Hartwick Sunday and got a win. And so I know a lot of the parents came up and spend the whole weekend, uh, you know, went down to the short ride down to Hartwick. So um, you know, our parents right now, well man, the tailgate is uh is is second to none. It really is. And you talk about a family atmosphere and and welcoming people in. And you know, we you know, we've had recruits at the last couple home games, you know, close to 25 recruits at each game, and their families come into the tailgate, and then that's all they talk about, just how welcoming everyone is, um, and uh, you know, and the atmosphere that we have. So really appreciative of that.

Rocky: 11:25

I love the atmosphere for you guys coming out onto the field, but you know, going back to the tailgate, this is really funny because most people would would always say, Hey, you're coach little C or Coach C. I walked through some of the tailgate stuff, Coach, and people actually knew who I was. Some of them said, You're that guy on the podcast with coach. I said, All right, at least a few people know who I am, but most people say you're the you're coach little C. People were saying you're you're on the podcast with Coach. So did you meet Moose Hogan and Mr.

Coach Faggiano: 11:53

All Day football? Did you meet those guys or what?

Rocky: 11:56

I couldn't tell you who I met. I met so many people came up to me. There's a lot of guys that had the football lum shirts on, which was pretty cool. But I was just laughing, like, at least I'm known for something with Coach, right? It was pretty cool, though. I loved it.

Coach Faggiano: 12:07

Those guys are all in, you know, they're all in. There was uh uh first source, you know, had the tent, you know, and John Calvin Reese is a Utica lum, and um, and they had a blast, and all our guys went in there and they they like doing autographs with the players, you know. So our guys are all in the tent and doing autographs after the game. And I know all the folks at first source had a good time, and it was a teacher appreciation game as well. So, you know, appreciate uh all the folks at first source for supporting us. And you know, uh, I believe we had some new Hartford football players in there because I know Pam Way was in there, you know, and I'm hoping that her son and uh their quarterback and some guys were in there watching us. So, you know, um, but you know, it's great people and uh glad they had a great time.

Rocky: 12:47

So, coach in comes Court, or you guys go to Cortland. I'm sorry to say in comes Cortland, but 28 straight conference wins. I was looking at another crazy stat. 45-5, four umpire eight titles. Um, 2023 obviously was a national championship year. That's since 2021. 28 straight. That's got to pump your team up. Say, let's go up there and give it a shot.

Coach Faggiano: 13:10

Well, you know, again, they they have obviously they're they're very good athletic school, you know, have a great idea uh athletic director, you know, familiar, great dude, and you know, really good people. And obviously, you know, Coach Fitzpatrick did a great job there uh the minute he showed up, you know. And I think uh their program, they've always had some really good athletes, and and and uh you know, Coach Fitz showed up and and right out the gate, you know, and and that whole staff he put together, you know, Coach Morgan was on his staff for I forget if it was a year or two years before he became the head coach at Buff State. So, you know, had had a lot of success there for sure, you know what I mean? And and um, and wasn't surprised, you know, wasn't surprised. You know, he's a good football coach, and and um, this is a game we're looking for, you know, we're looking forward to, no doubt about it. Everyone knows, you know, the last couple years, right? Cortland won the conference uh and won the national championship, right? And then the year before, before that, I think Brockport had beat Cortland like seven years in a row, right? In Brockport kind, and then before Brockport, it was Alfred, right? And so obviously at Utica, we're battling like when when's it gonna be our time, right? So certainly a big game. Um, you know, uh, you know, it's interesting as people look at the scores, you know, in in uh you know, Grove City, you know what I mean? And they obviously it's very similar to like they lose to Grove City, they turn the ball over, right? You know, and then we lose to Hobart, we turn the ball over in a bad field position. So um, you know, it's uh I told the guys, you know, it's a big game because of all the work that we've put in to make it a big game. And you know, you're certainly excited, but you gotta just play, you just gotta go play. You know what I mean? And you can't, it's so big, like you try too hard, you try to do too much, you make mistakes, right? Just do your job, love playing with your brothers, uh, play for the guy to your right and the guy to your left, and kind of surrender the outcome and just go play. And uh, our guys have been loose. We had a great week of practice and you know, excited for the opportunity for sure.

Rocky: 14:59

Yeah, I mean, I would imagine too, the team's got to be pumped up to say, you know, it's it's a challenge. And again, I don't think anybody's gonna pick you guys to go down there and find a way to upset them. But if I'm a player, you get a chance to go play in, you know, great atmosphere, a ranked team, nationally ranked team, nothing to lose. Let's go out there and play. And you guys, as we said, coach, you guys have been challenged. You know, your your first three non-conference games are against three really good teams. So you guys um are well challenged, right? Leading up into this game.

Coach Faggiano: 15:27

Yeah, like I said, when it's all said and done, and you're looking at week 10, looking back, I still believe the first three teams we played are gonna have winning records. I really believe that. I know Hobart had a tough close loss, one score lost to Ithaca this past weekend, but you know, RPI is obviously a very good football team. They beat Rockport in overtime, um, you know, New York Division III football is you know, we all beat each other up, right? We're just just trying to to win a conference or get to that postseason. And um, you know, it's not always an easy thing to do. There's great football and great coaching, as we talked about on the show. It's great coaching in the in the conference. So, you know, and then W and J turns around, they get they had a bye week, which helped them kind of regroup, and then they got after Grope City, you know. So um, that's you know, it's all fun to talk about. Now we'll talk about it on the show. It's probably the only time I've really talked about it, but um, it's more about you know, what's our game plan, right? What kind of what coverage are they gonna give us on third down, right? What's what are they gonna do on special teams, you know? And I think that's the guys have been making fun of me about, you know, we talk about the sauce and the secret sauce. And like that, what's in the sauce for this weekend is just executing the game plan um to high level. And the team that executes more is gonna find a way to win the game, you know. And in uh, I'm sure Cortland's looking at that Hobart game, and Hobart played a smart, air-free football game. Uh, you know, Coach Blumenauer's got a great staff he put together there, well-coached football team. Um, they're very good at running the football. Anytime you have a quarterback that's a big, big part of the run game, always gives you challenge. It's almost like playing the option, right? And uh, so it's really important that guys uh do their responsibility and don't try to do too much and fit the run accordingly, you know, and and they're certainly going to make some plays, and just you gotta find a way to make a few more plays than they do at the end.

Rocky: 17:07

Yeah, and and I know we talked a little bit about it last week, but you kind of you hate to say you score watch and you look through some of these teams in the conference and stuff, and we said this conference to me, I think is is wide open, top to bottom. It's it's it's good every week. And then I look at the Cortland State where they lost to Grove City. I think they turned it over like seven times. I think they had like six interceptions, a fumble, like something you don't see from Cortland State, but you take that away. Um, they were right in that game for most of that game. They were.

Coach Faggiano: 17:33

They were, and then I'll tell you what, Union Union game was was a good game for about three quarters, and then Cortland pulled away in the fourth quarter on that. You know, union union get union seems like they're they've improved from a year ago for sure. Um, so it's interesting. And then, you know, we're all human, so everyone, you know, everyone looks at the scores on Saturday night, you know, and just but uh you don't spend a lot of time on it, right? It's back to what's the game plan, and you're watching the game film, and um, you know, and uh it's all it's all about the teaching, you know.

Rocky: 18:02

Coach, is there any parts from from looking at Cortland State? Is there anything that you see that you feel like you guys will be able to kind of attack a certain area, you know, come Saturday? I know coaches are gonna say we got to be able to run the football, play really good defense, stop the run, special teams. I know all that, but are is there any areas that you can see that you guys can attack?

Coach Faggiano: 18:21

I'll talk about their strengths. I'll talk about Cortland strengths. Like they they run the football very well. Their quarterbacks had three straight hundred-yard rushing games, and he is and we'd say he's got the strongest arm that we've seen as far as throwing the ball down the field, right? So they're gonna take their shots. Um, the running backs are big and physical. Uh, you know, and times it's not just the one running back, they get both running backs in there. Uh, two of probably the biggest physical tight ends that we're gonna see in the run game, uh, the experienced offensive line. So I think you know, those are all key things. And I know their receivers are chopping at the bit to get involved in the pass game. So from a defensive standpoint, um, you know, they they they're well coached, you know, they're they're they look they try not to give up the big play, and uh they're gonna find the times to pressure you, you know, and they're in that 3-4 hybrid, and you don't know, they bring in four, they bring in five, they do a good job of disguising that. Um, you know, it's it's uh you know a good football team, but you know, we're also a good football team as well, and I think this is uh it's gonna be a great, great game on Saturday, I think.

Rocky: 19:19

And coach, talk to us too. I know you guys have played up there before, but the the atmosphere there at that stadium is always packed, they always get really good crowds, it's always electric up there. Talk to us a little bit about that that atmosphere on the road up there.

Coach Faggiano: 19:32

It's funny, it depends when we played them. You know, I I I um I'll be curious. You know, I think I think it's their fall break, you know, so I'm not sure if their students are there or not, you know, and and I've told a few people like I'm I'm kind of glad that we're on the road, to be honest with you. Sometimes being on the road and you know, a little bit less distractions, um you know, like all kinds of things. We always always have all stuff going on at home, you know, at our home games. So um, you know, being able to get on the bus and just go play play the game that they love and play together. Um, you know, I'm just really proud of our guys to be at the point that we're at, that this is a big game. I think if a lot of people back in the offseason saw a non-conference and like, oh geez, you know, they're playing. RPI, Hobart, and WJ, like, you know, kind of, and I thought we've come out of that, um, you know, a better football team, you know, even with the loss. You hate to say it, but you know, we needed to have that, and uh, and so we could learn from that, probably no different than Cortland with with the Grove City game. Since then, they've protected the football very well, you know, since that game. And I'm sure that you know that's been an emphasis. So, but um yeah, looking forward to again, looking forward to that football game.

Rocky: 20:39

Coach, how much how how important I always say maybe like the first five, six minutes of that game, the emotions for your team. How how important is those first five, six minutes of that game for you guys?

Coach Faggiano: 20:49

Oh, it's huge. Yeah, they gotta take a deep breath and and just play. You know, they got saw wood and they're gonna be fired up. Um but uh you know, they gotta they gotta play through the ups and downs of the game, and they've done that. You know, they've done that. Like you gotta remember, you go back to W and J, they went right down the field and scored. First drive. Right? Our guys didn't flinch. Yeah, I really like that. You know, there's a lot of new starters and watching what do I do a lot of watching these days and how they responded to that. I'm like, oh boy, we we've got a special group, right? These guys play together and and they play through the ups and downs of the games well. And we had a ton of penalties in that first game, and every week it's gone down, right? Went from like I think it was 15. Yeah, they may have declined a couple, but we had 15, so it may have only been 12 in the stats. Then I think it was down to like eight. And this past weekend we may have only had five. So we're like, like I'm glad to see that. Like our guys are settling in and like playing hard, but playing between the whistles and and learning how to do that. Um, because a lot, you know, a lot of them, it's their first time playing. You know, everyone kind of forgets that. Mason Moranowitz is his first time playing as much as he's playing. Mason Muscari, Nick DeForest, Isaiah Thomas. These guys did not play 60, 70 plays a game last year, you know, and so just to watch those guys get better each week has been huge. On offense, same thing. Our you know, our starting left tackle, right? Was playing defensive line last fall, right? And doing a great job. Our starting center, first year starting, right? And these guys are just playing together, you know. So uh, so I've been proud of how our guys have played in those in those difficult games. And it just brings me back to my old college coach, and it's if you want to be good, you got to play good people. You want to win your conference, you got to play strong non-conference. And uh, you know, so I think we've set ourselves up for that.

Rocky: 22:31

And coach, I think you said this our first episode. We talked about like this is one of the selling points of coming to UC. You get to play in games like this against nationally ranked teams, and here's another opportunity for your team to go out there in the spotlight and play a really good team on the road. So, I mean, it's a great selling tool for UC to be able to play in games that mean something.

Coach Faggiano: 22:51

I mean, I'm glad you bring it up. I mean, many times as you go to recruit the best, we're trying to get the guys, don't go walk on somewhere, right? Don't go play Division II, right? Come play in one of the best conferences in the country in an unbelievable atmosphere, right? With a great culture. And um, you know, our coach and staff in our university have done a great job of being able to, you know, recruit and and find guys that fit our school. You know, we have a great university and um some amazing majors, and uh, you know, uh, but yeah, that recruiting to to the conference is uh is a big deal, you know.

Rocky: 23:27

And I think it's awesome, Coach. I think since you've you've came to UC, I know you talk about you're the old guy now, uh at this conference, but I think it's great though, because the energy that you have, it's like, you know, we'll go, we're not scared to go play anybody. I mean, we I know you talked about that non-conference schedule, and I don't think a lot of people thought that followed D3 probably didn't think you guys would come out at what, three and one, which you you could have been four and oh easily with with the Hobart game, but I don't think anybody really thought you guys would come out of it the way you guys did. But then I go back and and and and I'm sitting here saying to myself, there's not a game on the schedule you look at and you say, Let's go compete and let's go play. These are those types of games where you just you look at and you say, We have nothing to lose, we have everything to gain, let's go open up some eyes on the road this week.

Coach Faggiano: 24:14

You know, it it really is. In in more and more of the interviews, I've been pleased with how the the players and coaches talk, right? Because our guys are all on their phones and they're on social media. And what's nice is you know, we're not the only people that, hey, we gotta gotta go one and oh this week, right? And you and you hear that now. And so I think a lot of that positive messaging in college football is there, which is great. So it kind of reinforces, you know, if some D1 coach says it, you know, what Coach Klaus or Coach McClennon or Coach Zelovaker is saying to our guys, you know, because they're they're uh really dialed in, you know, because our guys love football. So um, yeah, we're it's again, it's it's uh it's you know, it's we're excited to play the game, right? And you know, we're not a big give anybody any bulletin board material type of program. Our guys know better. And uh we're just gonna give a lot of respect to our opponent and uh looking forward to it's a sad I can't we can't literally cannot wait for Saturday. Well, we have one more day of work, we have important practice tomorrow uh to just kind of clean up our game plans. And uh, you know, one thing we've learned is that like we we're we we prepare our guys for stuff that we don't even see on film, and I give really give credit to my coaching staff. And you know, if there's a coverage that maybe they didn't run on film, we know you know what, they're gonna run it against us if there's something offensively, like we're coach McClennon's throwing trick plays at them and doing all this stuff to because that just seems to be as we slowly chip away this thing, um, uh and build our program, you know, we tell guys they're we're always gonna get their best game, right? And you know, Cortland's gonna they're gonna give us their best game that they've played so far, you know, and and uh and our guys have bought into that, and that's how we've got built into our preparation. So it's our job to put them in pressure all week so they can just go have fun on Saturday and go perform.

Rocky: 26:04

Coach, I feel like that gap in in the Empire rate, though, whether it's with yourself and some of the other teams, like I feel like that gap has closed. I mean, Cortland's been the top dog for for a while, but I feel like those middle of the pack teams now, like they're close, they're inching a lot closer um to being those top teams. I know like you're talking we're talking about you guys here tonight and every week, but I feel like that gap's closing a little bit. Is that is that due to recruiting and the success of some of these programs?

Coach Faggiano: 26:32

Or which which gap are you talking about with like like Austin and some other places?

Rocky: 26:38

I think some of the some of the mid-tier teams like you know in the middle of the pack, I think are much closer now to catching though catching the Cortland States and catching those top dogs. I think that conference overall has gotten so much better over the years. I think that window's closing a little bit.

Coach Faggiano: 26:55

Well, I think I think we had obviously a lot of turnover in coaches.

Rocky: 26:59

Yeah, right.

Coach Faggiano: 27:00

And you can already see Coach Rogers is doing a really good job at Hardwick. You already see that. Um you can see a coach Raby is doing a nice job at Fisher and what they're in what they're doing right now. I know they had a tough loss to Rochester where they turn around and beat Alfred, I believe, this past weekend, right? So I think that's kind of what's different this year, which is unique, is um is the turnover in coaches and okay, who can who can get things going as quickly as possible? Yeah, what's been nice for us is I've had some consistency with Coach McClendon, with Coach Klaus, with Coach Inilovic. You know, that's been big. A lot of my younger coaches are all new, but three quarters of them played for us, right? So they know the expectation, they kind of know the culture, and then we've had some great guys from outside. Um, you know, Coach Lou being from Bethune Cookman, uh, Coach Tribino, a disciple, uh you know, uh Coach Coach Murph from from Michigan. So we had some guys from the outside, which gives you a good perspective, but you know, top down, it's again, it's a great conference, you can't fall asleep. Um, you know, we learned we learned those hard lessons last year. If anything, you talk about you know what we've learned, and the guys have talked about that this week. Like we know, like we learned the lessons about uh our season last year, right? And uh, and you know, and the difference between win and losing is a is a is a small margin, right? And um so that you know they're they're they're fired up. It's gonna be and it's big, like we have uh Cortland, and then it's uh we're back home from Morrisville for a breast cancer awareness game, and that's a buy. And like you mentioned earlier, it's crazy to think here we are mid season.

Rocky: 28:32

Yeah.

Coach Faggiano: 28:33

And one thing that I really like is I really right now our upperclassmen, particularly our freshmen are figuring it out, but the upper classmen are doing really well academically, you know, and it's always like it seems like right big conference games, it's like midterms, you know what I mean? And our our guys are doing a good job of balancing that right now, which which I've been pretty impressed, you know, and being able to balance school uh with their midterms coming up here. I think next week is when they really start uh getting ready for those, along with you know, getting ready for a big empire rate play.

Rocky: 29:02

So, Coach Sattery, when you guys take the field and the last time you you talked to the team, what'll be your final message on to the guys on Saturday?

Coach Faggiano: 29:10

You're gonna ask me that one. I mean, I'm gonna tell we we play best, we play loose, and we have fun and we play for each other, right? And don't make it bigger than it is, right? And and and you know, play with play with love in your hearts for each other, right? And just go out there and have fun. I think you can see that the way we play on the field. Um, when when a guy makes a play on the field, the whole sideline erupts. And I think we definitely this is a tight group, and um they do that, you know, and uh we'll put our best foot forward for sure.

Rocky: 29:37

All right, coach. I said before we came on, you took the lead on me here in some picks. So I'm uh I'm 500 at 11 and 11, and you're at 13 and 9. Um, you had a good week last week at 4 2. So I got some got some new games this week, some new teams. Uh the first one I'm gonna give us is Iowa State at Cincinnati. I can't figure the lines out on here, but Vegas knows more of that. I do. Cincinnati's favored at home against Iowa State. Who I I love Matt Campbell. I think he's one of the best coaches in the country. But he is.

Coach Faggiano: 30:08

Yes, he's he's a very good coach. And um he's got one of the best articles on recruiting. I don't know if I ever mentioned that to you. Um that I I save and give it to the coaches every year to reread. And just know who you are, like know who you are and recruit the people that fit your school, and don't be so worried about all everybody else and who was offered. You know, it's a really great, great article. But I'll go right out the gate, I'm gonna go Iowa State on that one.

Rocky: 30:34

Yeah, I'm uh I'm I'm all in on this one. I think this is an easy one, but I don't know. Vegas always knows something. I just can't believe Cincinnati's favored.

Coach Faggiano: 30:41

Well, they got it, they've always in the past, and I haven't watched them at all. They they they're a lot of explosives, right? They always seem to be fast. Maybe that could be the key, right? Like, I think surely that'll be a key with Iowa State uh you know, limiting the Cincinnati explosive plays.

Rocky: 30:57

Yeah, and I think um Cincinnati, I think the coach is Coach Satterfield, who was at App State over there. So, and this is another game. I can't figure this one out. So Vandy's off to the great start. Diego Pavier, the quarterback's getting a lot of attention. He's played well. And then Alabama comes in last week, and Kirby Smart's got a Bama problem because he can't beat Alabama, but not many teams can. Calen DeBore's got this thing going. They're a 10 and a half point favorite to Vandy. Vandy beat him last year when they carried the goalposts through Nashville, they did, um, which was really cool. You think Vandy gets him again, or you think Bama's just cruising right now?

Coach Faggiano: 31:33

I think, I think on this one, again, I love what they're doing at Vanderbilt. I think that's outstanding. I was very happy for them last year. But I think right now, Alabama coming off that Georgia game, I think they're in a good place right now. And I'm gonna go with Alabama on this one.

Rocky: 31:46

Yeah, I'm gonna I'm gonna agree with you here. I I love Kalen DeBoer. I think he's got this thing figured out. Ty Simpson, the quarterback,'s playing really well. And you know, you don't know how big that Florida State, you know, that first game trying to figure things out against Alabama. I think Alabama's got it figured out. It's a big line, though, 10 and a half at home. So we'll see. But I'm with you on that one. So so far we agree on both. I got to pick a couple different ones here to try to pick some up. Um, Virginia. Virginia had the upset win over Florida State at Virginia. This is another one of the ones I can't figure this out. Louisville's undefeated and not ranked. They're a seven and a half point favorite at home to Virginia. You think Virginia keeps this thing going or Louisville? I love their coach. Coach Brahm does a really good job played there. Um, you think Louisville gets him at home?

Coach Faggiano: 32:33

I'm gonna go Louisville.

Rocky: 32:38

I kind of like Louisville too, but I don't know. I might have to switch this one. I don't know. I'm gonna go Louisville too. I I like Jeff Brahm. I think he's a great coach. I loved him when he played. It that line's just really weird because Virginia's ranked coming off the big win, and they're a seven and a half point underdog um on the road in that game. Just a weird line.

Coach Faggiano: 32:58

I don't want to, yeah, I don't want to go into games being ranked.

unknown: 33:01

Right?

Coach Faggiano: 33:01

It just gives gives more feed fuel to fire the other team.

Rocky: 33:05

So here's the big game. This is uh Miami, Florida State. Um, Florida State, I actually we just talked about loses to Virginia. So Florida State is home. Uh Miami's looked really good in the trenches offensively, defensively, the front four is playing really well. Carson Beck looks like the old Carson Beck. Uh Mario Cristobal. Maybe this is the year he gets to the playoff and has a chance to win a national championship. Florida State, this is another one. They're a four and a half point underdog at home, the Miami. You like the Knowles at home? I'm gonna go with Miami. I'm I'm as much as I want to go with Coach Hand in Florida State. I just saw a nice interview with Coach did a podcast with uh a West Merlin alum that he went to school with. A great it was a great interview. Um and I'm pulling for him, but unfortunately, I think Miami right now is is I think Miami's the best team in the country other than Ohio State. So I'm gonna roll with uh with the you in this one as well. All right, Mississippi State at AM. Mississippi State had the game last week against Tennessee all but one um in the last uh overtime Tennessee scored. But Mississippi State controlled that game. They go to AM. I feel like not many people are talking about AM. Um 14 and a half point favorite at home. Does AM continue to keep this thing going?

Coach Faggiano: 34:27

They do.

Rocky: 34:28

They'll go AM. Yeah, I'm uh I'm on the train with you there, coach. This might be this last game, might be. We always got to pick the Syracuse game.

Coach Faggiano: 34:37

We do have multiple weeks. We got multiple weeks.

Rocky: 34:39

Um Syracuse last week.

Coach Faggiano: 34:42

This is tough. This is this is one of those ones where like last week if I voted my heart, I I would have went Penn State, but I went with Oregon. And like my my heart says Syracuse, but this is tough.

Rocky: 34:55

I'm gonna go SMU. I Syracuse looked off. I know it was the quarterback, the backup there's first game. Um, he didn't look that great last week at all. I don't know. SMU, I know they went to the playoff last year. I love their coach.

Coach Faggiano: 35:07

Um SMU's two wins.

Rocky: 35:10

I don't know who the two are against, um, but I do know that uh a 16 and a half point line is a really big line.

Coach Faggiano: 35:18

This is gonna be the one where you may get me, but I'm gonna I'm gonna go Syracuse.

Rocky: 35:21

Arya, are you just doing that so the local people like you and they don't say coach is going against Syracuse? You think they get it right this week? I could say they looked really bad last week.

Coach Faggiano: 35:30

I'll tell you what, when when I heard Coach Brand's coach uh excuse me, Fran Brown's interviews, excuse me. Um he talked positively about his quarterback.

Rocky: 35:40

He did.

Coach Faggiano: 35:40

I mean, and like you know, um they're they're really good coaches, right? And so like they had they kind of had a a week to figure out without their starter, which was awful for the loser starter, like that. And um, you know, I think they they've got they've got some guns on their on you, they got some weapons, and uh you know, even though they're down their quarterback, I think that the they like the backup, and I think they're gonna put themselves in a position to have an opportunity to win the game. I think it'll be a tight one. I think it'll certainly be a tight one, but I think Syracuse can pull it out.

Rocky: 36:10

I think they'll figure the offense out. I'm more worried about defensively. They they couldn't stop anybody last week. I mean, Duke did whatever they wanted to do, but uh we'll see because losing that quarterback really hurts. They got a tough schedule coming up. They play a lot of good teams in the ACC, those middle-of-the-pack games that uh they said earlier, they can go 50-50. But um, I got to bring on uh so my guy Dingo talk here. I follow him on Twitter, he follows us all the time. He retweets that Moose Hogan lives on.

Coach Faggiano: 36:39

You know, uh we've got some parents that that uh have alter egos and and uh and have some fun with it, you know. So Moose Hogan was a character. Um I don't know. I there's some other ones though that I even like, you know, I'm about again, I was a big wrestling fan back in the day when when Mr. Maldonado was as well. And so I was a huge Hulk Hogan fan and macho man and all that stuff. So I mean there were people that you know all of my guys, whether you know the Utica guys that have coached here at the Udica coaching tree, like what we're all we're all talking about Mr. Maldonado's videos every week. You know, I think we miss them, you know. And then uh Mr. Malzahn with his all-day football is is got his own logo, you know, with hoodies going on, and and I love it. You know, I love it. Back in the day we had a tight end from Somers, Mr. Muller, and he had these, you know, let the the the Moose's loose shirts that he had made. So you know, I love when my parents get into it, you know, it's what makes it fun.

Rocky: 37:31

Coach, you know what's really cool is ever since we've been doing this show, I've met more D3 guys that that followed Division III football, which I think is really cool because obviously everybody follows a lot, you know, the D1 programs, and there's a lot of guys that follow D2, and there's a lot of good D2 programs out there across the country, but the following for the D3 is special, man. I didn't I didn't know there was that many people outside of you know myself who just loves college football, but D3 special, man. There's a lot of good people that follow um everybody across the country.

Coach Faggiano: 38:02

Well, just it's sheer numbers, right? You know, 250 teams, um, you know, the history of behind it, you know, programs that have had football for over 100, 120, 150 years that had programs. It's pretty wild. You know, uh last week going into homecoming, I tried to do as good a job, or we tried to do as good a job as a program to kind of throw some recognition to uh the original pioneers, you know, uh the guys that played at Utica, you know, from 67 to 71. There's some great football lore there because back then that everyone was playing club, you know, it was club, you know, they're playing Portland and St. Lawrence and uh uh you know it's funny they used to call Utica, they call them the Utes if you look at some of the old articles and they they played Colgate and Hamilton and because there wasn't really any divisions, you know. But you know, you talk about you know playing for the love of the game, and you know, when our alumni come back and they talk about you know that their locker room was in the basement of North Hall and they had hooks to put up their helmet on a hook, you know, and and if if their helmet had a face mask, right? Um but um for sure. I mean division three football, particularly in the northeast, you know, it's growing it's growing in in the west, it's growing just you don't have as much of it, right? You know, which is a shame, you know, uh particularly like in the south. You got states that really don't have uh much division three football. So just the number, sheer number of guys that played is is is big and uh and just it was such an impact on their lives. You know, that's that's what it's it's been for them, was for me.

Rocky: 39:28

Well, coach, let's go watch the Yankees. Give them hell on Saturday. You know, I love talking with you every week, and uh, we'll look forward to it again next week.

Coach Faggiano: 39:36

Appreciate you, Rock, for the moves.

Rocky: 39:38

All right, coach. So that was Coach Blaze Fazziano and uh love him, man. Love love talking to him every week. I w I wish I had more time to sit on here and talk college football with him, but the Yankees are on, so I gotta get them to watch the Yankees, me too. But uh hey, let's go give it a shot on Saturday. Let's go play a nationally ranked team. That's what Utica's gonna do, and they're gonna give them hell, they're gonna play hard for four quarters. Um, and we'll we'll talk to Coach again uh next week. So again, if you're following on YouTube across all social media platforms, make sure to hit subscribe um to all the shows. You can catch me on any social media platform, iHeartRadio, Apple Podcast, and more. So, on behalf of the Rock Pile, I always say here the rock pile is where dreams become reality. Have a good evening, everybody.