Photo by: Garrett Becker
MSU’s Fa’anono Gets Another Opportunity Against Familiar Foe
9/27/2018 3:56:00 PM | Football
Senior defensive end Tyrone Fa’anono has been a Bobcat since 2014, the year Eastern Washington picked up a one-point victory against Montana State
On Sept. 20, 2014, the Eastern Washington Eagles' football team came to Bozeman and defeated the then 14th-ranked Montana State Bobcats, 52-51.
Montana State hasn't been able to overcome Eastern Washington since. Players have come and gone for both teams, but wins have gone the Eagles' way. Eastern Washington won 55-50 in 2015, 41-17 in 2016 and 31-19 a year ago in Cheney.
Senior defensive end Tyrone Fa'anono has been a Bobcat since 2014. He earned some of his first playing time in that pivotal one-point loss. He is one of the few Bobcats still around from then, so he knows he is running out of chances to go out on his own terms.
When looking back on his career, the thing that comes to mind for Fa'anono is how fast it went. This week he wants to live in the moment, be detailed, focus on execution and also remind the young guys the reality of college sports.
"Sometimes, the young bucks think they got a lot of time, but they really don't," said Fa'anono. "Football, school, keeping yourself busy, the days go by fast and you just don't realize it."
A player only has so many opportunities to compete against a perennial contender such as Eastern Washington. Making the most of these games can define a season or even a career.
Graduating with a degree in community health last spring while having one year of eligibility left, Fa'anono decided to postpone his postgraduate plans and return to MSU for one last chance to play for the blue and gold, his teammates, coaches and an opportunity to compete in the postseason.
"(Playing Eastern Washington) is a great opportunity," said Fa'anono. "Our team being able to have this chance, we're 3-1, they're 3-1, our goal is to win the Big Sky conference. Us being able to play for something means a lot."
The Bobcats aren't hiding from the magnitude of the game. They've spent the early part of the season giving themselves a chance to compete in a game with these kinds of implications.
"I'm excited because we've worked really hard around here to have a game against a really good opponent, that's a meaningful game for us," said head coach Jeff Choate.
Choate wants to find out where his team stacks up in the Big Sky conference and stressed the importance of having a great week of preparation in order to be ready.
Fa'anono, who is second on the team in sacks and tackles, understands the importance of preparation and keying in on every detail of a big-time opponent. Choate instills the importance of practice into every player, regardless of experience in the program. The players are responsible for bringing the right attitude to practice and being ready to improve their abilities on the field.
"We have to bring the energy when it comes to practice," said Fa'anono. "Coach Choate kind of harped on that this whole week, to make sure our energy is there. If the energy isn't there, the practices are dead and no one's competing. When everyone's competing at a high level in practice, the games are that much easier."
Montana State is going to need to be on the top of their game throughout this week of practice. Having experienced players such as Fa'anono helps the team prepare and sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Competing at a high level is what Fa'anono came back to school for. He and the Bobcats will be facing a challenge when the Bobcats take on the Eagles on Saturday.
Montana State hasn't been able to overcome Eastern Washington since. Players have come and gone for both teams, but wins have gone the Eagles' way. Eastern Washington won 55-50 in 2015, 41-17 in 2016 and 31-19 a year ago in Cheney.
Senior defensive end Tyrone Fa'anono has been a Bobcat since 2014. He earned some of his first playing time in that pivotal one-point loss. He is one of the few Bobcats still around from then, so he knows he is running out of chances to go out on his own terms.
When looking back on his career, the thing that comes to mind for Fa'anono is how fast it went. This week he wants to live in the moment, be detailed, focus on execution and also remind the young guys the reality of college sports.
"Sometimes, the young bucks think they got a lot of time, but they really don't," said Fa'anono. "Football, school, keeping yourself busy, the days go by fast and you just don't realize it."
A player only has so many opportunities to compete against a perennial contender such as Eastern Washington. Making the most of these games can define a season or even a career.
Graduating with a degree in community health last spring while having one year of eligibility left, Fa'anono decided to postpone his postgraduate plans and return to MSU for one last chance to play for the blue and gold, his teammates, coaches and an opportunity to compete in the postseason.
"(Playing Eastern Washington) is a great opportunity," said Fa'anono. "Our team being able to have this chance, we're 3-1, they're 3-1, our goal is to win the Big Sky conference. Us being able to play for something means a lot."
The Bobcats aren't hiding from the magnitude of the game. They've spent the early part of the season giving themselves a chance to compete in a game with these kinds of implications.
"I'm excited because we've worked really hard around here to have a game against a really good opponent, that's a meaningful game for us," said head coach Jeff Choate.
Choate wants to find out where his team stacks up in the Big Sky conference and stressed the importance of having a great week of preparation in order to be ready.
Fa'anono, who is second on the team in sacks and tackles, understands the importance of preparation and keying in on every detail of a big-time opponent. Choate instills the importance of practice into every player, regardless of experience in the program. The players are responsible for bringing the right attitude to practice and being ready to improve their abilities on the field.
"We have to bring the energy when it comes to practice," said Fa'anono. "Coach Choate kind of harped on that this whole week, to make sure our energy is there. If the energy isn't there, the practices are dead and no one's competing. When everyone's competing at a high level in practice, the games are that much easier."
Montana State is going to need to be on the top of their game throughout this week of practice. Having experienced players such as Fa'anono helps the team prepare and sets the tone for the rest of the team.
Competing at a high level is what Fa'anono came back to school for. He and the Bobcats will be facing a challenge when the Bobcats take on the Eagles on Saturday.
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