Photos Above by R. Greene

Photo Gallery from BYU Game

By John Beisser/Wagner Athletic Media Relations

Staten Island, NY - Junior punter Bryan Rafano (South River, NJ/St. Joseph's-Metuchen) delivered an exceptional performance on a big stage last Saturday at BYU, booming five punts of 50 yards or more, including a career-long 57-yard boot that he uncorked in the fourth quarter.
 
Playing in front of 56,015 fans on hand at LaVell Edwards Stadium in Provo, UT., the largest crowd to ever witness a Wagner football game, and a national television audience, Rafano averaged a robust 47.2-yard average on nine punts vs. the Cougars.

Rafano, who served as the understudy to All-Northeast Conference (NEC) punter and current Seahawks' operations director A.J. Firestone in his first two seasons on Grymes Hill, upped his season average to 40.6 yards per punt, which ranks No. 2 in the NEC.

"Bryan's done a tremendous job for us all season and has really showed a lot of improvement since the spring," said Wagner head coach Jason Houghtaling. "The punter position was a concern heading into the season simply because we didn't have anyone on the roster who had done it before. His hard work is paying off and he and our team are reaping the benefits for sure.
 
"The season he's having is even more impressive in light of what his mom's going through and the mental toll that must take on him," he added.
 
Houghtaling is referring to Donna Rafano's second bout with breast cancer. Donna was first diagnosed with breast cancer 12 years ago and radiation treatment at the time, successfully kept the disease at bay until this past May when it was discovered that it had returned. This time, surgery is required."
 
During tomorrow's game at Duquesne, the Seahawks will wear pink ribbons on their uniforms in an effort to raise awareness for breast cancer research while recognizing, in particular, Bryan's mom's battle.
 
"My mom and I have a goal for the rest of the year that, while she's fighting her battle with breast cancer, I'm also fighting the battle on the field," he said.
 
Back on September 5 in the season opener at Rice, the 5-11, 170-pound Rafano, who doubles as Wagner No. 1 holder for kicker Bryan Maley (Eagle River, Alaska/Chugiak), was put to the test right off the bat. Facing the very first punt of his college career, Rafano found himself standing in his own end zone as the Seahawks were backed up, facing a 4^th-and-5 from their own eight yard line, following their first possession.
 
After handling the ball from sophomore long-snapper Nicholas Padron (Kenilworth, NJ/David Brearley ), who was also on the field for the first time in his career, Rafano calmly executed a 43-yard punt that sailed out of bounds at the Rice 49. Rafano would go on to average 38.9 yards per punt, including three that were downed inside the Owls' 20.
 
"That was a little nerve wracking for sure," he recalled. "We've got a high standard to live up to here as A.J. was so good for so long. But, I was able to get off a pretty good one and that put me in the mindset that I can help this team as a both a punter and a holder."
 
Heading onto the big stage at BYU, Rafano brought that same quiet determination and confidence that he has displayed all year. And he wound up having the best game of his young career.

"I think the walk-through the day before was really helpful, giving me a chance to get used to the stadium, the altitude and the thinner air," he said. "I noticed on Friday that my punts, even if I didn't hit one great, tended to hang in there just a bit longer so maybe that gave me some more confidence as well."
 
Rafano's second of his nine punts vs. the Cougars sailed 54 yards which, briefly it would turn out, was a career high. Following a pair of 46-yard efforts, Rafano's next two punts traveled 52 and 54 yards, respectively. Following a 36-yard punt, Rafano uncoiled a career-high 57-yard blast. The line of scrimmage was the Seahawk 20 and the high, arching punt was downed at the Cougar 23.
 
"I really admire Bryan and his approach," said Houghtaling. "Tomorrow, when our guys wear those ribbons, as a football program we'll be showing support for Bryan during his family's struggle, while bringing overall awareness as cancer affects so many people and families throughout out the world."  

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
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