 |
|
 | Class:
Senior
|
| Hometown:
Cave Junction, Ore.
|
| High School:
Illinois Valley
|
|
| Height / Weight:
6-0 / 200
|
| Position:
S
|
| Birthdate:
11/10/1985
|
| Experience:
3L
|
|
|
|
|
2008 (Senior)
A likely all-conference selection before an injury erased the final quarter of his season, played and started nine overall games...Started the first eight games at strong safety before shoulder surgery seemingly ended his college career, but made a recovery that shocked team physicians and started the New Mexico Bowl to conclude a remarkable CSU career...Recorded 62 tackles (43 solo), 3½ stops for loss, two sacks, two interceptions, five passes broken up, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble...With the game on the line in home opener, vs. Sacramento State (Sept. 6), pounced on a late fourth-quarter fumble at the Hornets' 25-yard line, setting up a dramatic walk-off field goal...Turned in one of his best career games in 28-25 win vs. Houston (Sept. 20), tying for the team lead with nine tackles (seven solo), adding a sack, two stops for loss, a fumble recovery and interception...Sacked UH's Case Keenum for a 15-yard loss on a fourth-and-12 in the second quarter, corralled a Bryce Beall fumble after teammate Ricky Brewer forced the loose ball in the third quarter, and finally, one play after CSU took a 28-17 fourth-quarter advantage, made an athletic move to beat Kierrie Johnson and pick off Keenum over the middle at the Cougars 42-yard line...Forced a second-quarter fumble at Cal (Sept. 27) from Bears RB Shane Vereen, who'd taken a direct snap; teammate Matt Rupp recovered at the Rams' 10-yard line to keep Cal's lead at just 14 points; later, in second half, his third-down hurry forced an incompletion and ensuing field-goal attempt that was blocked...Had a hand in four takeaways over a three-game stretch, from Sept. 6-27...In come-from-behind win vs. UNLV (Oct. 4), shared a first-quarter tackle for loss, dropping power back Frank Summers on second-and-goal; later, with CSU clinging to a 20-14 second-half lead, broke up a pass on third down to force a missed, 54-yard field goal...For the fourth time in his career, vs. TCU (Oct. 11), had a sack and interception in the same contest; his interception, and ensuing 25-yard return, restored possession to the Rams one play after CSU threw an interception in a 13-7 game...Also in Frogs contest, had a third-down stop to end TCU's initial possession of the second half, drew a clipping penalty on a punt, and on TCU's first snap, with the Rams up 7-0, nearly intercepted a pass at the TCU 26-yard line with a clear sideline lane to the end zone...In win at San Diego State (Oct. 25), nearly blocked a punt on the Aztecs' game-opening possession...An intelligent player, understands the game, the Rams' defense and plays with tremendous passion, according to coordinator Larry Kerr.
2007 (Junior)
CSU's all-heart starting strong safety, played in eight games with seven starts, despite severely spraining his ankle in Game 4...Collected 58 tackles (28 solo), one stop for loss, an interception and ½ sack...Intercepted and sacked Cody Hawkins, sharing the takedown with Jesse Nading, in season opener at Colorado (Sept. 1); picked off the QB in the fourth quarter at the CSU 23, with the Rams protecting a 28-25 lead...Led the Rams with eight stops (four solo) vs. No. 10 Cal (Sept. 8)...At Houston (Sept. 22), combined with Tommie Hill to stop RB Terrance Ganaway for no gain on fourth-and-1 at the CSU 16-yard line late in the first half...At TCU (Sept. 29), picked up a season-best 11 stops (nine solo), including a third-down tackle near the goal line that forced the Frogs to kick a second-quarter field goal; left contest in third-quarter with left ankle injury...Missed the ensuing contests vs. San Diego State (Oct. 6) and Air Force (Oct. 13), then returned in reserve role at UNLV (Oct. 20)...Surprisingly returned to the starting lineup vs. Utah (Oct. 27), and notched 11 tackles (seven solo), to match a season high...At BYU (Nov. 3), continued to play in pain but led the team with eight stops (two solo), including ½ tackle for loss...Twice was carried off the field at New Mexico (Nov. 10), including after the Lobos' crushing last-second field goal, but still played most of the game and recorded five tackles (three solo), one of which kept the Lobos from a critical first down in the second half, forcing UNM to settle for a field goal; then in the final 2 minutes, playing really on one leg, combined with Blake Smith to keep Rodney Ferguson from a first down and force a punt in a 23-23 game (the Lobos would kick a crushing, last-second FG)...Did not play vs. Georgia Southern (Nov. 17) or vs. Wyoming (Nov. 23).
2006 (Sophomore)
Played in nine games at safety, starting six...Finished tied for second in sacks and tackles for loss, and third in total tackles...Sat out three games due to an injury...Led the team with seven total tackles, and added ½ sack and a forced fumble at San Diego State (Dec. 2)...Had a career-best 14 stops, at Air Force (Oct. 12)...Led team at Nevada (Sept. 16) with 12 stops (10 solo)...Had five tackles, including a team-leading four for loss and two sacks, in 14-10 win vs. Colorado (Sept. 9).
2005 (Freshman)
Played as a reserve in Poinsettia Bowl vs. Navy, and recorded one unassisted tackle...Had a season-high seven tackles at UNLV (Nov. 19)...Collected one tackle in each of his first two college games.
2004
Redshirted as a true freshman in his first season of college eligibility.
High School
Played running back, quarterback and defensive back at Illinois Valley High School in Cave Junction, Ore. ...Participated in the 52nd Annual East-West Shriner's All-Star Football Game in 2004 and rushed for 152 yards and two touchdowns...A three-time letterwinner in football, was a two-time all-state performer, team captain and team MVP...Football coach was Bob Thornhill...Also competed in wrestling and track (4x100, 4x400, long jump, triple jump)...Was his league's 2003 Wrestler of the Year, and wrestling team captain.
Personal
Given name Michael Angelo Pagnotta...Born Nov. 10, 1985, in Palm Springs, Calif. ...Son of Mike and Christine Pagnotta, and Tom and Sara Parker...Has three brothers and one sister...Majoring in history...Hometown: Cave Junction, Ore.
