SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — Syracuse fans grew increasingly frustrated with starting quarterback Rickie Collins after the Orange dropped to 3-3 following consecutive losses.
After an impressive 34-21 win over reigning ACC champion Clemson in Death Valley and a strong 3-1 start behind Notre Dame transfer quarterback Steve Angelli, Syracuse football appeared to have taken another step forward under head coach Fran Brown.
But Angelli went down for the season with a torn Achilles, and LSU transfer quarterback Rickie Collins took over under center. As a starter, Collins went 0-2, and the Orange were outscored 69-21 over those two games. With Angelli at quarterback, Syracuse averaged 38.25 points per game. With Collins, that number dropped to just 10.5. Collins threw five interceptions this season and held a 30.4 QBR (quarterback rating), compared with Angelli’s 70.3. Pro Football Focus listed Collins’ turnover-worthy play rate as the highest in the nation among quarterbacks with 100 or more dropbacks this year.
Syracuse lost consecutive games for the first time in the Fran Brown era, and rumors swirled about the coach’s future with the Penn State job open. When asked about it during his Monday media availability, Brown said, “I’m working at Syracuse right now, so I don’t really need to talk about that.” He called the question “disrespectful.”
After SU’s Week 7 bye, reporters questioned Brown about Collins’ status and whether he remained the team’s starting quarterback. Although key voices urged patience, some members of the Syracuse fan base already lost theirs, including the uncle of star receiver Johntay Cook, who made a fiery call to ESPN Radio Syracuse after the team’s loss to SMU to criticize the quarterback.
Cook has since publicly denied any issues with Collins, insisting their relationship remains strong. Still, several teammates showed visible frustration over missed throws during SU’s defeat to SMU. Collins faced mounting pressure to hold onto his starting role and prove he could continue to improve, as many Syracuse fans called for true freshman Luke Carney to get more snaps after his only play, a nine-yard touchdown run against Colgate, drew cheers and optimism earlier this season.
Syracuse sits at 3-3, with Pitt visiting the Dome on Saturday for a primetime matchup at 7:30 p.m. under the lights. Collins will be tested, as the Panthers boast one of the ACC’s top run defenses and play a style that forces opposing quarterbacks to make difficult throws to beat them.