Rocky: 0:33

Good evening, everybody. Welcome to another live edition here on The Rock Pile. Tonight, The Rock Pile brings you another episode of Inside Utica University Football Podcast with head coach Blaise Fazziano. Excited to bring Coach on as we'll we'll be talking about their upcoming home ACAC bowl game this week at Gaetano Stadium on Saturday. Excited about that. We'll talk uh Brockport the game last week. I watched the entire game from my phone, um which was a thrilling game to watch. So we'll talk a little bit about that. Um, that and much more. Coach and I will do another episode next week. We'll wrap things up next week. Uh we'll do a whole season recap. Should be fun. Hard to believe. I say this every week with coaches. We keep getting towards the end of the season. Uh, and here we are with just two weeks left to go. So I'm trying a new software out tonight. So I told Coach to bear with me. Hopefully, I don't screw this thing up. I know I'll I'll probably hick up somewhere. But if you're watching on YouTube anywhere, make sure to hit subscribe. Follow me anywhere you can. It'll it'll be across all social media platforms as well as Apple Podcasts. So without further ado, let's see if I can get coach on here. There he is, coach. What's happening?

Coach Faggiano: 1:40

What's going on, Rock?

Rocky: 1:42

Not much. How are we doing tonight?

Coach Faggiano: 1:44

We're we're doing just had our full pattern practice, and uh what one day close for the Saturday.

Rocky: 1:50

So, coach, I gotta tell you. So, I was watching the Brockport game from my cell phone uh online, and uh we were going to the UC hockey game that night, and uh I'm watching it, and my wife's like, Are we getting ready to go? I'm like, I gotta see the ending of this game. It's it's it was a good game. I was so surprised at how well your team played, considering the conditions.

Coach Faggiano: 2:12

Listen, that the the it was a day, so like we'll just start with the morning phone call at 7:30. That the bus that's one of the buses on campus, the brakes have froze. And we have to wait for a new bus. And wait, and listen, Wade does a great job, right? So, but they're in Schenectady. Yep, yeah. So we gotta we gotta wait an hour and a half for the bus. Okay, and now at the same time, we have a team meal that some of our alumni were very generous. This was like a first-time thing that a group of our alumni paid for a pregame meal out in Rochester, which was like big time, nice hotel. And what's great is we roll in the hotel, and one of our former uh guys, Chance Harris's mom's working in the hotel, and Chance comes and visits. And so I wrote so we're getting close, so we're there. So now we get up there, and now there's a lightning delay. So, so you know, Coach Mangoni, I gotta tell you it was great. All right, we'll delay the start to 2:30. Well, then we get there, didn't start till three. And it was a little hairy during the warm-up, let's just say that. But they had some uh section five playoff games that were gonna be on that field afterwards, so like, and then when I tell you the rain, it was cold, and you know, and obviously everyone knows we like to throw the ball, like to throw the rock, and yep, and um, and you would think that would just be the the worst case scenario, and we still did, more so in the second half, which we could talk about, okay, successfully. But uh it was it was really an incredible win and very proud of our guys, and uh probably one of the ones I remember the most. It was it was a wild game.

Rocky: 3:47

Coach, I know I said this to you throughout the season, and I know every team has been different, but you you can tell when when you and I have talked throughout the season of how much fun you've really had and how much you really love this team, and no coach ever wants it then, right? You have this week left, and then you know this group is done, and you move on, your seniors move on, but I could tell just how much you really love this team.

Coach Faggiano: 4:10

Well, our university just put a whole bunch of pictures on on Facebook from the game last week. Yep, and they're just just the looks on the guys' faces, and you know, um it was one of those games where everything that we're all about, you know, we were able to do now. I think that the the the thing that was wild is guys who made mistakes early in the game. And I told Nico before the game, I said, you know, you're gonna you're gonna have more field goal attempts today. Just trust me, they have a really good defense. Yeah, well, top defenses both both teams had top 20 defenses in the country going into the game, right? And uh, and so we always talk about you just have to have the best defense on Saturday. And so kudos to our defense keeping, I think, that that you know one of their lowest point totals of the season at 20. Obviously, it didn't look good at great, you know, we go down 14-0. Um, but you know, Nico misses a field goal early that easily can make and then makes what ends up being really the one that kind of the game winner was that we had the game winner and then we had Eli's pick that sealed it. And then even Tyler. You know, Tyler had a couple, we had a couple big special teams plays. We had a a blocked punt and then we recovered a fumble off a kickoff, and yep, and we you know threw a couple interceptions after that. Didn't fail, I mean, didn't phase them in a negative way, I should say, and just kept battling and obviously uh you know made made some plays for us to to get in the end zone. So I was just very pleased and how the guys played in some crazy conditions.

Rocky: 5:34

Well, I'll just say the conditions, and I was sitting as I'm watching the game and saying, okay, you know, Utica, we love to throw the ball all over the yard. Here's a torrential downpour. I'm saying, man, I hope this doesn't get into a run game because as you said, those RPOs all year, we we really haven't ran the ball the greatest because of the RPOs. I'm like, please don't let this, but you guys just threw it around the field like it wasn't even raining out, like it wasn't even it's crazy, like it wasn't even raining out, and uh you know Bryce Palmer just had a day, Logan Frederick just had a day, and then our old line like this was I mean, this has to be the most decorated team that we've ever had as far as like in a national level with the the national players of the week.

Coach Faggiano: 6:15

We've had multiple, and this week the whole offensive line got it, which they i mean to go to Brockport and to not give up a sack against Brockport again. A lot Coach Fox, great DC. They have some dudes on defense. That is not easy. And um, you know, I was really impressed with uh how those guys played. So if there was five weeks in a row, they hadn't given up a sack, which which was which was incredible. Um yeah, it was pretty wild. And then defense defense, listen, we gave up a couple hundred yards rushing. Isaiah Simmons in that O line is no joke, you know. And then they had the Wildcat quarterback going, and they really kind of seemed that they were kind of you know trying to hold on to a lead, you know, and really run the ball. I think it was the only time I think we lost the time of possession by a minute, and that's the first time this year in a game that we haven't had the time of possession, right? So that certainly was what you know uh what their plan was. Um but uh yeah, it was a it was a wild one.

Rocky: 7:14

Coach, defensively, what changed for you guys? Because the second half, I think you only held them the I think you held them the six points in the second half. Uh what was really different? Because they they just ran the football. I was like, if we can get them in a third and long and they got to throw the football, I really like our chances. What changed for you guys? Did you guys make any adjustments?

Coach Faggiano: 7:32

We did. And both I mean both offense and defense made some adjustments. Um, you know, defense again, it's it's all about the run game and the fronts and how you're slanting the guys, and you got to be able to sit in one front the whole time and let and let the Brock Porto line know how you're gonna line up. So we made some good adjustments there that got us some some negative plays and got them in a situation, you know, in those third and longs. And then I think a big a big moment was like the fourth and two, you know, and they were gonna go for it. They tried to get us to jump and they decided to punt. That was a big moment. And we then we have a huge 16-yard punt return to give our offense some really good position there. Um, you know, uh yeah, you know, offensively too. We we we we tried to be a little more balanced in the first half, and the second half, we just said, nope, we're gonna just we're gonna throw it. And we're we're an empty formation and and running uh you know, running some option type routes, and uh they're they're doubling Bryce just about every third down and in multiple plays. He had two guys on him. Um it was wild. You know, they they really threw the kitchen sink at us for sure. And even special teams-wise, our guys came to play our kickoff unit with them. They had some of the top returners in the league and their punt return and kick return. Devin Taylor smashed it in his punts, did a great job. Um, we had some great coverage, and Nate Hernandez blocks another punt. That was a huge play. We actually, in the middle of the play, they kept changing their protection for where we were trying to block it from. And the last second, we flipped it again, didn't give them time to switch, and then Nate came off the edge to block it. Um, Mason Payton had a huge force fumble that Mason Miscarry recovered. So we kept making plays. You know, we kept making plays and uh got a little hairy at the end, you know. They're driving to they got a great field goal kicker, so they're they're driving to kick the game winning field goal. And uh Eli Douglas had a huge pass breakup, almost ended it there, and then had and for him for him as a senior to finish his career like that in the regular season to have a pick six like that. That was that was wild. And then we had trouble with their X-point field goal, so we they're getting the ball back, and if they were only up eight, so you know that was. And then we on our end, we actually blocked an extra point, which was you know, again, every play is magnified, you know, you know, in a in a big game like that. You know, it was their senior day, um, they were fired up, and then again, they're playing for postseason as well. You know, they ended up three was it three of us have home games, you know, because Fisher's playing an ECAC game in their home, and Brockport's playing a DCA game in their home. So um, but uh but yeah, it was uh you know, our guys have been tough, like certainly disappointed we didn't get in the tournament, you know. For the folks that follow us, like didn't help that that Johns Hopkins lost, yeah, right? Because then all of a sudden now they took a pool C when they should have won their AQ. Um, it didn't help that Cortland and RPI lost, and then the numbers of the NPI, you know, we needed some of those things to swing it, right? Um, but then really quickly our guys knew. I told them really after our second loss, if we went out, and one of two things will happen. We're either gonna make the tournament or we'll have our first ever home ECAC game because we've been to five of these things, and this is the first time we get to host it. Our parents are beyond excited that they can tailgate again.

Rocky: 11:08

Yeah.

Coach Faggiano: 11:09

Um, you know, we actually invited all the tent sponsors from all five games. We've actually invited them if they wanted to come out um and and and join us in the tent. We left the tent up because we kind of had a good feeling that we were gonna be home. And um, so that's a cool thing. So I think we'll have have a good crowd there and just been trying to put the word out that uh it's uh normal game, it's season ticket. If you have a season ticket, it'll work. Uh normal tickets just five dollars. The weather's gonna be great, and um, you know, we're excited about this uh this upcoming opportunity, but certainly a great way to end our season, regular season with the big win on the road.

Rocky: 11:45

So I kept checking all the Twitter, all the all the sites, and everybody kept putting in like their projections, and I kept looking. I was like, okay, Utica was like one of the first two out. And I'm like, okay, well, maybe another guy will post and have you know have you guys in. And then the delay to got and I'm like, it doesn't look like they're gonna get in. And I'm like, shit, you know, but uh, but coach, you mentioned those three guys. I want to go back to Bryce, Logan, and Antonio. And I'm sitting there saying, Man, what a season, these three guys. And I know Logan was hurt earlier, he came back and he's been unbelievable. And these guys have had great careers, you know, for you. And just talk about each one if you can, and just how special of a season it's been in their careers.

Coach Faggiano: 12:22

I mean, Logan, I talked about him in front of the team the other night, you know. And for those that maybe haven't heard me talk about him, you know, uh showed up at the school with his dad, uh, moved back to the area, want wanted to be a PT, had his Herkimer degree. Some people saw him play basketball at Herkimer, and literally played two years of what you would say would be the JV wide receiver. And certainly athletic, certainly had good hands, but then you know, anytime a young person makes a decision, you know, and we we had talked to him about the possibility of moving a tight end, but I don't like making guys. Yeah, I'll try to nudge them, you know, but I don't like making them. And then this winter, you he came at me, coach. I'm I'm putting 20 pounds out and moving the tight end. And not only did he do that, but he is an incredible blocker. Um, and he's one of the best tight ends in the in the country. Yeah, so great and an amazing student, amazing student in the physical therapy program. Um, you know, he has another year of eligibility left. Uh, no announcements yet, but uh he know like his uh coursework works up well or work works out well because his clinicals in the summer and next spring and the fall, he'd be in classes. All right. So we were sometimes you have to recruit your own guys, you know. Everyone knows Tyler has another year too. I think the biggest thing with Bryce and talking about Palmer is like, and I said this today in the leadership council meeting, is that he is one of the toughest, grittiest people I know. He has battled so many injuries, and I mean he could be like beyond sick. Most most guys would wouldn't practice, and he's fighting through practice, you know. Um, and he battled through a lot this year to have a full season, you know, which he hadn't had yet. You know, he had some injuries. So uh he has really battled to have just an amazing season. I didn't look at the I know he had 70 catches going into the last game, so I don't know what his try I can't think of. What was his total?

Rocky: 14:21

Yeah, he had nine catches um last week for 137 yards and three touchdowns.

Coach Faggiano: 14:26

So he was at 79 catches from the season. That's wild.

Rocky: 14:29

I mean, Logan had 10 catches, he had 10 in the game, and then Antonio had six. And I feel like Antonio kind of is the guy that goes under the radar, make some big catches for you guys in games because I mean Bryce is getting doubled at times. Logan gets doubled, and Antonio just seems like he's in the right place at the right time.

Coach Faggiano: 14:45

Well, you know, you love having the the big physical receivers, you know, and and and you know, as a captain, he's had a great senior year. Again, came back from an ACL injury. And what's great is not only does he make the big plays, uh, but he he is a great blocker, you know what I mean? And just the example that he set for the the Valezas of the world, you know, Lorenzo on that final drive is probably the biggest catch in his career, man. Had a huge catch on that drive, um uh where got us in that field goal position. So um the leadership's been great with this group for sure. And uh I told him today, I'm I I told him I told him thank you from the from the bottom of my heart. This has been a pleasure to coach these guys. Um, and uh, you know, I'm I'm I'm looking forward to you know one last go ahead with Saturday goal. I'm gonna be disappointed when it's done for sure.

Rocky: 15:35

And coach, I know we've talked about your quarterback, Tyler, all season, and he he throws for over 3,000 yards, which was a single season uh record. He tied the single season for touchdowns with 31 and he had 249 completions, which the record I think on your stat thing was 254. So I know we've talked about him a lot, but in the conditions where you guys threw it as much as you did, to be able to throw it in those conditions was pretty cool. And then the season he's had um it's pretty special.

Coach Faggiano: 16:05

Like myself, he was pretty fired up to go back home to Rochester, you know. And uh, I know he had a lot of family and friends there, you know, and then his Aquinas coach as well there. So, you know, um in the game of football, we all know how important the quarterback, right? Who's under the microscope, right? The head coach, the quarterback, right? They're always the first two. And it's a really special thing when you know, because someone could have talent but not have the success, right? So Tyler certainly has the talent, the arm strength, can run the ball, you know, the leadership. Um, so then you take a young man that has the talent and you put him in a system where he can be successful, and that's credit to Coach Klaus and Coach Zanelovic, you know, and it's really a special thing when that all comes together, yeah, with the protection, with the scheme. I've always been a big slot receiver guy. I've always been a big tight end guy. Um, you know, uh I'm not a I'm not a Patriots fan, but you can't you go you look back at the uh the Tom Brady times and and in Edelman and you know Gronk, and like that's such a big part of what we do, you know. And we're still we're one of the few schools over the years there. We're gonna find someone. We've had some amazing slot receivers going back to Cody Elliott and Jerry Boniquez and Peyton Miller um and Bryce and uh Nate Palmer and Bryce Palmer. So we love using that guy. Like those guys are tough to uh, you know, sometimes they're a smaller running back in high school, really quick and elusive, and you get these big linebackers and they have a hard time tackling those guys in space. So, you know, I've always been a big uh a big slot guy. You know, we kind of joke around and say we're slot you sometimes. Um some teams just don't use them the way that we do. So uh so again, you know, Tyler's been great, he's learned as the season has gone on. He's learned about the Empire Eight, you know, him and I have talked about that at length. You know, we meet every week. And um, you know, again, we think we all Utica, we always have a little chip on our shoulder. There's always something to prove. And um, this is a big matchup this week. You know, I know I want to get ahead of you, but big matchup, right? Empire eight NJAC. So um, but we're always kind of continuing to kind of prove, you know, where we are as far as in the national stage, I guess.

Rocky: 18:24

So, coach, let's talk about that. So, Rowan comes in, and I gotta be honest with you, I don't know too much about the N-Jack conference at all. Um, I don't, I'm sure you do. Um, but Christopher Newton seems like they're the top dog over there. I don't know if they're the top dog every year, but I know Salisbury, I know Montclair State. They were right in that hunt with those four teams. How much do you know about that conference? And uh I know there's a lot of history with Rowan um over there, but uh how much do we think Coach Coursey, who Coach Rui played for.

Coach Faggiano: 18:51

Um, you know, I again played against him in the playoffs back when I was at Fisher. Uh Casey Keeler, the head coach before him. So they have a lot of tradition at Rowan. They used to be called Glassboro State back in the day. Uh, we played them um in the playoffs uh when I was at Ithaca. My freshman year, I was in the stands, but uh really good program. You know, the NJAX, great football, New Jersey's great football. Uh, you know, it changed when they added Salisbury and in Christopher Newport, right? So, you know, a lot of the conferences moving around. Salisbury used to be in the Empire Eight years ago. So Coach McClendon, our DC uh is Salisbury alum. And uh, you know, so he talks to those guys and and and you know gets some feedback. But you know, Rowan, if you look at him, it's not much different than us. Like they barely lost to Salisbury and Christopher Newport. Yeah, and one of those one of those with one more win, maybe gets him in there, right? And then they had that crazy tie, right, in in week one. Um, you know, we're us, we had the the Hobart and Cortland loss, right? That type of deal. So the way the ECAC's gone, which is a little different, is they are taking the top two teams and pairing them up to make the game like be kind of marquee game, as as uh Frank and JB described it. Um and I do it, they do a nice job with that, but that's how it always was. You know, in 18, Ithaca was the top seed of eight and two. We're in there six and four, and we're playing Ithaca, you know. So yeah, uh, I kind of thought the coach that the Rowan earned uh a home game, right? Like Rowan's on the road, it's it's seven, two, and one, and then you got some other teams out there uh that have a home game. It's kind of so you kind of scratch your head on that, but um, but I'm again I've always been a big uh ECAC bowl game guy. Uh we won a couple of them while I was at Ithaca uh when I was coaching. We um a big one at Fisher when I coached there, we beat Cortland that kind of got us you know over the over the hump when I was at Cortland. And uh, you know, certainly they've been been great for us at Utica to build our program. So, you know, they um if you watched it, they talked a lot about Grove City and I busted their chops because I I had my uh my Ithaca shirt on from 18, right? So I know they want to talk, and I have a lot of respect for Grove City, but um you know, 18 was a big year for us to go to go and beat Ithaca, you know, when no one thought we could do that, and we did that on the road at Cornell. Um, you know, all the guys that were a part of that. Like we've really like that was they talk about a year getting over the hump. I always look back to 18. And um, you know, we've done some great things since then. So um, but the Rowans, you know, big physical team. They have some really good running backs, they have a massive offensive line, multiple tight ends, uh, you know, really good receivers or quarterbacks that have a really good year, um, you know, very efficient with the ball, gets rid of it quickly, really good in their RPO game. Uh, you know, uh uh, you know, defensively, again, they're they're they're gonna blitz you and they're gonna put pressure on you, and they're gonna slant and twist and you know, really try to put some pressure on on your offense. So um, you know, certainly a good a good matchup. And it's always unique. Like you get the three films on Monday afternoon, right? And you're hustling to get a game plan together the next day. Um, but uh, you know, Coach Ruley's done a nice job there, just been there two years. Uh, did he play linebacker for Coach Coursey, I believe. You know, so it was a rolling alum. And then we're familiar with him. He was the DC at Susquehanna. Yes, when uh we played Susquehanna. You know, so we have some history with him there.

Rocky: 22:23

Coach, I feel like they're they're similar to you guys. And and I mean, I'm just going off of stats. I went through some of their game by game stuff, but you know, defensively, they're really good against the run. It seems like they're they're conference-wise, they were last against the pass, and then you know, with you guys being able to throw the ball all over the yard. Um, looks like they're kind of balanced. The quarterback um doesn't turn it over much. He completes a lot of his balls. Um, so they look like they're pretty solid up front, but on the back end seems to be where they struggled this year. They're giving up over 200 yards a game through the air.

Coach Faggiano: 22:55

Yeah, those passing yards can always be deceiving, right? You know, but um yeah, I mean you're right on. They may think they're the quarterback, you know, just a good job. He gets rid of them quickly, you know. And that's you know, Tyler, that's why he's hard to sack, right? It's because we're not sitting back there three, four seconds, right? We're getting trying to make decisions quickly, get the ball out quickly, and and that's what their quarterback's been able to do. So I'm just glad to see you know, Rowan go into the ECAC. I hope more NJAC teams do. Um, you know, uh Empire Eight typically has teams, the the President's League, sometimes some New England teams, but yeah, I'd like to see some more NJAC teams uh put in in the future for sure. I think it's a great opportunity. These guys don't get to play football when they're old and gray, you know.

Rocky: 23:34

So coach, when you think now and then you know, come Saturday, what do you think your final message will be to the guys before you guys go out onto the field, knowing it'll be the last time with this group before you prepare for obviously for next season? Have you thought about what your message will be?

Coach Faggiano: 23:51

Uh I mean, not not fully yet, but I think you know, right off the right off the rip would be you know, enjoy playing the game you love with guys you love, you know. And this is a really close group. Um, they've set a great foundation that got us back on track. You know, we we talked a lot about as a program. We had those three straight winning seasons, and that was a really big deal for Utica football. And then we weren't very happy, is probably an understatement about that five and five year, right? And we talk about programs like we want to consistently win, right? Whatever that looks like. Is it eight wins, nine wins, seven, ten? But you know, you want to be one of those programs that we consistently win. And um, so I was glad that those guys were, you know, were able to to to work on their team chemistry and and get us back to that in the win column for sure, which you know, you look at the season, you know, I know people were kind of going, really? You're opening up with W and J, RPI, and Hobart. Okay, that's a little different, you know, and uh you know Alfred State coming in to the conference, you know, that that that did solid in their first year. So um I was really proud of uh our coaching staff. Again, a lot of our our all of our grad assistants were first year coaches, um, you know, uh a few of which were played for us, some we brought from the outside. And you know, just really uh, you know, Coach McClendon, the job he's done with our defense, they've been playing lights out. Um, and Coach Clausen coaching all of it. So they they've really all done a nice job. And then I had fun coaching special teams. You know, I really had to take the the reins this year more. Uh, I've been spoiled the last couple years. I had some great guys that were the special teams coordinator, and I would certainly assist, but didn't have as much of a hand. And uh, you know, at the end of the day, I enjoyed coaching and uh and you know that was fun this year. It was definitely more on my plate, but I was glad I was able to do it and have fun working with up with all the guys.

Rocky: 25:40

Coach, I meant to ask you how fun was the the high school all-star game last week? I know it's always special to be at your stadium, give those kids an opportunity to play in a college stadium and you know to showcase the talent around the area. But how how nice was that night for you guys?

Coach Faggiano: 25:55

That was great. You know, our sports information director, uh Jordan Lambert, calls the game and gets the scoreboard going for the guys and the music playing. The weather uh started out a little crazy. We had some yeah, I learned on the I learned on the news what they call it. Is it is it gropple? Is that what I heard? My folks at WKTV when it's frozen snow, but it was so we're supposed to burn the shoe before the game, and we we went and did it inside. We had we had the now the shoe was still outside the picture window, but um, so we did our burning of the shoe ceremony, and then a lot of the guys went to the game. And I went up in the press box, and our students actually called the game, it was on Empire A TV. Uh, some of our players, Gavin Gretsch and Justin Lanion, interviewed me at halftime. So it was a lot of fun, and I hope it's something that we continue to to host at Utica.

Rocky: 26:41

Well, coach, I'm gonna put this up here, but I don't know if you could see it. I am exactly I am exactly I might have put this wrong. No, I'm actually one game up going into uh this week. So I I don't have Colgate on here this week, so I I I did that. So I know you would have picked Colgate, and I don't I don't want you to think I'm cheating because I'm talking to Coach Fitz. And I am gonna tell Coach Fitz on Sunday, Coach Faz picked you every week, and I and I'm gonna tell him, unfortunately, I didn't pick him every week, but um I wanted you to see that, so I'm not cheating. But there's some good games. How about Coach Franklin? Coach Franklin got the Virginia Tech job. I think he's a great fit for him. I think he's gonna do a great job there.

Coach Faggiano: 27:22

He's a great coach, uh great mentor. Uh you know, certainly happy for him.

Rocky: 27:26

So, coach, the first game, Oklahoma had the huge win over Alabama, and I think I'm looking at my notes from last week. I think you and you both had Alabama. Uh so Oklahoma, they're at home. Uh, they're a seven and a half pay point favor. You think they keep it going?

Coach Faggiano: 27:42

Oh, for sure. Yeah, that momentum after that last week. You know, confidence is such a powerful thing. So I'm sure no, they have that. Coach Menable's got that going at Oklahoma.

Rocky: 27:51

Yeah, I'm with you. Um, I keep hearing Eli Drinkowicz, the Missouri coach, is up for a couple of those other jobs. I keep hearing Florida for him, but we'll see what happens uh there. All right, SMU at home. Louisville got beat uh last week. So Louisville still ranked. I feel like things are kind of going in the wrong direction for them here late. I I love Rhett Lashley over at SMU. Um they're a three and a half point favorite at home. Who you like? I'm with you. I like SMU. I like SMU in that game. All right, let's see. Who else did I have here? Oh, I love this game. Oh, I love this game. USC had a monster win, and I'm looking at your your notes and mine from last week. We both had USC last week against Iowa in that horrible, horrible torrential rain downpour. Um, I think Lincoln Riley's figuring a few things out. He's got to run the football and be physical in the Big Ten. I think I'm gonna pick mine. I think they go into Oregon as a 10 and a half point dog. I think they beat Oregon next um in Oregon this week.

Coach Faggiano: 28:49

Okay. All right, this is where I'm gonna gain, I'm gonna gain a game on. I'm gonna go Oregon. I've been just so impressed with like you know, Oregon past and how they're running the football and their physical and like finding ways to win. Um, I'm not sure if they're gonna get some of those skill guys back or not. Um, that could help sway me one way or the other, but I'm gonna go Oregon.

Rocky: 29:09

All right, that could be that could we might have to have a tiebreaker next week on a game or two. All right, Georgia Tech. And I this is the one I can't figure out because Miami right now is in the playoffs, they're in the 12-team field. They're they're like third in the ACC, they're not even gonna play for the ACC title. Georgia Tech, who's got one loss right now, would be in the ACC title game, and they're not in the playoffs. Pittsburgh came out, and Arduozzi said he didn't care if he lost to Notre Dame by 100, which Notre Dame blew him out last week. So here you go, back in conference, Georgia Tech at home, two and a half point favorite. Who you like?

Coach Faggiano: 29:45

Georgia Tech.

Rocky: 29:46

Yeah, I'm I'm with you. Great coach Georgia Tech.

Coach Faggiano: 29:50

Uh he's done some great things there. They're uh they're gonna be playing with a chip on their shoulder for sure.

Rocky: 29:55

I think he stays at tech. He's a he's an old he played there. I think he's gonna stay there. I know his name's up for some of these other jobs too, but he's just a right fit at Georgia Tech. And he's got him playing really well. So I hope he stays. Here's another big game, Big 12. Cincinnati had a loss last week. This is where game day's going. I'm not sure why game day is going to this one, but it's two ranked teams. Um I'm going to give you my pick. I'm going to go with BYU. I like them on the road here. Um, Cincinnati's a two and a half point dog at home. Any chance Cincinnati gets them at home this week.

Coach Faggiano: 30:27

And then is it BYU lost last week or two weeks ago? Two weeks ago. Two weeks ago. I'm going to go, I'm going to go BYU.

Rocky: 30:33

Yeah, BYU lost to Utah in the rivalry game. Right. All right. So you like BYU? Okay, so we got we got one difference so far. All right. So we're going to do the Syracuse game a little bit different here because I don't think either one of us are going to pick or Syracuse to beat Notre Dame. This game's in uh at Notre Dame. We're going to bet the spread this game, you and I. Oh, come on. So we're going to make this one a little bit interesting because you're going to pick Notre Dame and I am too. I don't think you're going to pick Syracuse to upset him. Notre Dame is a 35 and a half point favorite at home. Does Syracuse cover the 35 and a half?

Coach Faggiano: 31:13

Oh god.

Rocky: 31:14

That's too much.

Coach Faggiano: 31:16

Ready? I'm going to say I'm going to say no.

Rocky: 31:20

So you're going to take Notre Dame minus the 35 and a half.

Coach Faggiano: 31:24

Yeah. This is where we'll be we'll be we'll be dead even on this one, probably.

Rocky: 31:28

I don't think Syracuse covers it. I think they're going to get killed. Um, I I saw that the Villardi kid starting at quarterback. Um God, 35 is a lot of points, though. I mean, you're starting, you're down 35-0. Even if Syracuse can score a field goal, or I think I'm with you, Coach. I think I'm gonna take I'm gonna lay the 35 and a half. I just I I just figured it'd be fun. We'll pick the spread in that game. All right, so I didn't put Colgate on here. This is where I think game day should have gone. This is one of the oldest rivalries.

Coach Faggiano: 31:59

Um yeah, game day should have gone there.

Rocky: 32:02

Yep, they were they were talking about it. It was an option, but Lafayette's had a really good year in the Patriot League. Both teams are undefeated in league play. The winner gets the automatic bid in. I don't know if the loser, if it's Lehigh that loses this game, there's still a shot they could get in. But the Patriot League, because of their strength of conference, I'm not sure they'll get to win. And the passers have been here. Colgate and Lehigh have both went um to the to the FCS playoffs. Um, big game. This it's at Lafayette. Last year, Lehigh beat him. Who you like in this one?

Coach Faggiano: 32:34

Oh, I'm gonna go with uh my guys at Lehigh.

Rocky: 32:37

Yeah. I uh I'm with you. I think Lehigh right now, I think they have them fourth. And matter of fact, I think I'm gonna be on the FCS selection show, um, which I got to get some notes ready because I got asked to be on that. I haven't done too much on some of the conferences. I'm gonna do I'm gonna do the Patriot League one um with the Patriot League guys, but um, I think if Lehigh doesn't win, I think they'll still get in. But I think they're deep, man. Defensively, they're really good. Um, a lot of experience on the O-line. I think Coach Cahill's got a team that can make a really deep run in the playoffs.

Coach Faggiano: 33:10

You know, I think when they when they went to the 63 full scholarships for that league, you know, I mean that helped that league for sure. Um, and then and then they have they still have the ability to kind of break them up too, which is pretty wild, you know. So that allows them to really develop guys, right? Like what I understand, like you know, those jobs are pretty pretty well sought after positions because you actually can can develop people and they're not doing NIL, you know.

Rocky: 33:36

Yeah, in most of those schools, Coach, they the the facilities over the years since they've gone to the full scholarship, the facilities have gotten a lot better um all over the place. A lot of good stadiums, but the Patriot League's really good football, really competitive league. Um, they play a really tough non-conference, they'll play some of the big boys. Coach Fitz, they played Syracuse, you know, this year at Syracuse, so good recruiting tool for a lot of the Patriot League team. So we'll see. It looks like you might have a chance to pick up a game on me that we could be tied going into the final week um of the season. But um, Coach, I appreciate appreciate you coming on with me. I know we'll recap it all next week, but uh, this has been an honor to have you on. Um, you gave me an opportunity to uh to sit and learn um football from you, who I respect you more than a lot of guys. I've always respected you, but you gave me a chance to look at your program from the inside, which I really hadn't done my entire life, followed you my entire life, but this has really been an honor to sit here with you week over week.

Coach Faggiano: 34:35

Well, I I appreciate uh you putting the word out there about us. You know, I think the the positives of social media uh and folks like yourself, and and I think that's helped get the word out about our program that we think we have a pretty special university, uh pretty special program. Uh and then you know, through the social media, you can kind of get a little window into some of the things uh that we're about. And so I appreciate you put you know getting the word out there about Utica football.

Rocky: 35:00

Well, coach, I'll be there on Saturday. My wife and I will be back. We're going away Friday night, but I'll be there cheering you on and uh can't wait to see it. And I can't wait to talk to you next week. Hopefully, we're celebrating one final win for you.

Coach Faggiano: 35:12

Hey, listen, I know Mohawk Valley, you're all fired up for hockey season. We got one more week of football. Come on out to the gate, one o'clock. The 12th man tailgate will be rocking. Fear the moose.

Rocky: 35:23

All right, coach. We'll see you Saturday.

Coach Faggiano: 35:25

Take care.

Rocky: 35:27

And what was really cool too about last Saturday was the hockey team was playing Brockport at the odd, and the football team beat Brockport on the road, which was an unbelievable game to watch. And again, I was watching on my phone. My wife kept saying, Will you put the phone on? I'm like, Lindsay, I'm watching the UC game. It's a really good game here. So we're it's almost done. But uh, it's been an absolute honor to have Coach Foz on. He was he's always been good to me. And and uh my dad, when my dad was coaching high school, and he's he's given me the opportunity to learn about the program from the inside and and really follow the players. And I've always followed UC, I've always followed him, but this year has been pretty special, and I've been able to build some relationships with a lot of the other D3 guys across the area and across all of Division III. So it's been a really cool year. Looking forward to one more final win this week for Coach and one more final show next week where we get a chance to recap everything here on the Rock Pile. So the Rock Pile will be back on Sunday, the Mohawk Valley Sports Watch. I'll be talking to Coach Fitz, uh, the head coach at Colgate's gonna join me, and Coach John Snyder, the Notre Dame girls uh head basketball coach, who's a friend of the show. Uh we'll be talking some high school basketball as well on Sunday morning at nine o'clock. So thanks for tuning in tonight. Thank the Coach Foz. Thanks for everybody for following the Rock Pile. The Rock Pile is where dreams become reality. Have a good evening, everybody.