ALBUQUERQUE — Most football players have mixed emotions about their final home game. When Colorado State safety Mike Pagnotta trotted out in street clothes at Hughes Stadium for his senior day Nov. 15, he had but one emotion.
“I was pretty bummed. I waited five years for that day,” he said of shoulder surgery that shelved his final three regular-season games. “I was always confident in the team, because I knew if we got to a bowl I’d have a good shot at coming back.”
CSU coach Steve Fairchild said Pagnotta will start Saturday in the New Mexico Bowl against Fresno State.
“My season was cut short abruptly,” Pagnotta said. “This is a chance to play with the guys one more time and a chance for a seventh win.”
Unlike Fresno State, the Rams are far removed from the downtown area. The players mostly hang around a team lounge after the official activity of the night.
“It’s the camaraderie together. We also got some killer gifts,” Pagnotta said of the bowl goodie bag.
Also, Fairchild said Klint Kubiak would play after missing almost the entire Mountain West season with ankle and knee injuries.
“We’re definitely happy to be here but we’re not just happy to be here. We’re here to win,” said Kubiak.
Special visitor
Former New Mexico coach Rocky Long, who stunned the MWC when he stepped down at the end of the season, was Fairchild’s guest at practice Thursday.
Long said he hopes to land a defensive coordinator’s position and joked he follows the Internet rumors to see where he is going.
“I think the world of Coach Long. He will be a defensive coordinator somewhere,” Fairchild said. “I asked him what’s the book on us when you play Colorado State (it was Long’s final game as coach), He said, ‘I’m not going to give it up because I might play you again.’ ”
Footnotes
CSU’s ticket sales have approached the 5,000 mark. … After practicing in New Mexico’s indoor facility, Fairchild said “Next August we hope to have one.” The ongoing construction has a mid-fall target date but Fairchild hopes it can open in time for August thunderstorms. … CSU had an 11 p.m. Thursday curfew following a team bowling outing.
Natalie Meisler: (303) 954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com
