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| Mike Pagnotta |
Chat with senior safety Mike Pagnotta!
Pagnotta had played eight games at safety before suffering an injury against San Diego State. He is expected to be ready to start this weekend against Fresno State in the New Mexico bowl. Pagnotta has 37 solo tackles and 16 assists on the season with two sacks, two interceptions and five passes broken up.
Fans are invited to ask questions about the team and the upcoming New Mexico Bowl matchup Saturday. Fans don't have to wait until Thursday to submit their questions.
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CSU Moderator: Good afternoon, Ram fans, and thank you for visiting CSURams.com for today's chat with CSU football player, Mike Pagnotta. I am your CSU moderator for today. Mike, thank you for joining us. We have quite a few questions so let's get right to it. |
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| James - Loveland: How has Albuquerque been so far? Are you guys focused for Saturday? |
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Mike Pagnotta: It's been a lot of fun. The guys have really enjoyed their time down here so far. The hosts have been very gracious. We're definitely focused on the game. While we are having fun down here, it is still a business trip. |
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| Ray (Fort Collins): What has been the best pre-bowl event that you've been a part of in Albuquerque? |
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Mike Pagnotta: The chili cook-off last night was a lot of fun. I think we should have won; our chili was delicious, but that's just more motivation for Saturday. |
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| John J. Fitzpatrick: Mike, I've seen you at the shows...how did you and the boys get into Reckless Kelly? What is your favorite RK song? |
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Mike Pagnotta: Klint Kubiak was the first one to show me Reckless Kelly. And I've been a huge fan ever since. My favorite song is Crazy Eddie's Last Hoorah. |
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| John J. Fitzpatrick (Denver): Mike, I love your style of play. How do you mentally get ready for a game? |
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Mike Pagnotta: Thanks, I appreciate it. I prepare by watching a lot of film and trying to get as much practice on the field as I can. |
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| Steve (Fort Collins): Is there a difference in the way you've prepared for the New Mexico Bowl vs. the way the team prepared for the last bowl appearance in San Diego? |
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Mike Pagnotta: Yeah, I think we've prepared differently. The main difference would be the attitude we take to practice. Guys seem like they're having a lot more fun this time around and are playing with more confidence. |
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| JMONEY: Congrats on a great year! Are you starting Sat. and do you plan to play a lot (Rams will need you + Klint)? Also, next year who do you feel will step in at the safety spots from your perspective? Thanks |
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Mike Pagnotta: As far as I know, I'm starting and will play a significant number of downs. As far as next year, obviously Klint will be back, and he's a great safety. I think the other spot will be filled by either Elijah-Blue Smith or Davis Burl. Both of them are very talented. |
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| Steve (Fort Collins): You've played against some pretty good ones. Who's the best player you've ever had to defend? |
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Mike Pagnotta: We played against Cal's DeSean Jackson last season. He had amazing speed, that's what made him so difficult to cover. We also played against Lawrence Maroney when we played Minnesota my sophomore year. He's probably the best running back I've seen. |
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| Doug (Loveland): What has been the most memorable moment for you at Colorado State? |
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Mike Pagnotta: I don't know what my all-time favorite is, but the win at Fresno State two years ago ranks near the top. We were underdogs in that game and no one gave us a shot. But we went over there and handled 'em. |
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| Dan (Greeley): Why do you wear number 13? Are you superstitious at all? |
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Mike Pagnotta: I don't have a specific reason why I wear 13. I don't necessarily think it's a lucky number, but I think the number looks good on the field. I'm not superstitious at all. |
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| Erik Sampson Fort.Collins CO.: Have you all had time to meet any of the Coaches' family that are down there at the game? |
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Mike Pagnotta: Yeah, we've had a chance to meet the families of most of our coaches. We met at the restaurant last night. All the guys I talked to really enjoyed spending time getting to know them. |
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| Stuart: Mike - what are you plans for after graduation? Congratulations! |
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Mike Pagnotta: I plan on graduating in the spring. I'd like to train a little bit and try to make a pro team. But if that's doesn't work out, I have plans to move to San Diego and work down there. I'd work for GLA which is a company that does study abroad and community service based projects for high school kids. |
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| Steve (Fort Collins): Who would win a foot race - you, Kubiak or Horinek? |
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Mike Pagnotta: I love Jeff, but I think he's a little outmatched here. I'd like to think I would win, but it'd be pretty close. |
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| Darrell (Knoxville, TN): Mike,
Looking back over your Rams playing career, which game was the most special for you and why? Also, which opponent did you dislike (wish to beat) the most?
I really hope you have the chance to finish your career with a bowl victory. Thank you, Mike. We will miss you.
Go Rams! |
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Mike Pagnotta: The Fresno game two years ago was special and the Houston game this season. Also, the CU game when we won in 2006. Those three stick out the most. I dislike Wyoming the most and am really glad we beat 'em this year to go to a bowl. |
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| Erik Sampson Fort.Collins CO: How is it to play for the new coaches this year? What do you think about playing in the Bowl game this year? |
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Mike Pagnotta: It's been an honor to play for these coaches this year. I have the utmost respect for all of them. I need to throw a special shout out to Coach Lew because he's the man! I know myself, and the rest of the team, is honored to play in this bowl game and a win Saturday would be a great way to send the seniors out. |
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| Andy, Monroe, CT: Have you guys, as a team, felt a new breath of confidence with the way the new coaching staff has prepared you? |
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Mike Pagnotta: It's definitely a change with Coach Fairchild. But I think it was change for the best. I know all the guys really enjoy playing for these coaches. |
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| Donnie- Lakewood: I played with Jarrad McKay do you see him playing anytime in the future? I know he had an acl injury this last fall. |
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Mike Pagnotta: I know his rehab is coming along really well. The training staff and doctors do a great job with all the injuries we have. I don't see a reason why he wouldn't be at 100 percent and playing next year. |
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| Boomer (Pueblo): Who do you think is the future of the Rams defense? Sisson has really impressed so far. |
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Mike Pagnotta: We have a lot of really talented returning guys. Sisson, obviously, as well as Ricky Brewer, Klint Kubiak, Nick Oppenneer and Gerard Thomas. I look for all those guys to have big seasons next year as well as younger guys to step up. I think the defense is in pretty good hands for the next few years. |
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| jake(iowa city): Do you have a favorite hit. |
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Mike Pagnotta: I don't really have a favorite hit. But my favorite plays were against CU in 2006 when I had back-to-back sacks. |
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CSU Moderator: Well, Mike has a lot to attend to here in Albuquerque to continue to prepare for the game. So, thanks for your questions and continued support of Rams football and we look forward to seeing you at the game. Go Rams! |
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