Syracuse won over Clemson, 34-21, but it came at the cost of their quarterback, Steve Angeli. He was supposed to face off against his former alma mater, Notre Dame, in November. However, his almost season-ending injury has put hard brakes on those plans. But Syracuse head coach Fran Brown cannot let his potential go waste on the bench and has got a new role schemed up for his prized quarterback.

On Saturday, during the third quarter, Angeli was seen scrambling to his right before he hit the ground. The medical staff helped him to the tent; He was no longer able to put pressure on his left foot, and that was the last glimpse the Memorial Stadium saw of Angeli. Pete Thamel revealed his injury status, and as it seems, Coach Brown’s QB will be out for the whole season. “An MRI has revealed he tore his Achilles in Syracuse’s win at Clemson,” Thamel wrote on X. “He expects to have two more years of eligibility, as he expects to qualify for a medical redshirt this season.” Presently, he is scheduled to go for his surgery in a while, but his future calendar is already booked by Brown & Co.

“We have a detailed plan for him after he comes back,” Fran Brown told the press on Monday. “Make sure that he’s going to be like a quarterback coach, because he’ll be right there next to Ricky.” Rickie Collins will be stepping in as his replacement. “[Angeli is] the number one guy that Ricky’s going to feel confident listening to, because it’ll be one of his peers that are doing it, and then he’s already seen him do it.” Angeli was a key chess piece in Brown’s offense. Before the injury, he was leading in passing yards at No. 2 in the nation at 1,316 yards, with just four yards behind Baylor’s Sawyer Robertson.

Brown added. “There’s nothing like having a guy who’s your peer that understands and sees what you’re seeing, and you can talk to and go through it. So he’ll be the biggest help.” The 6’2, 213-pound QB is a Notre Dame transfer who took up his first starting gig at Syracuse. He has chipped in 10 touchdown passes and two interceptions for his 156 attempts. Steve will be accompanying the roster everywhere. “He’ll be at practice every day.” Though he won’t play, the on-turf developments and his being there for his team will help him mentally to bounce back. His academics? The online classes will take care of it.

The program will stress keeping Angeli mentally locked into the game. “It’s hard for anyone to go from here and just feel like you’re here, even though he’s going to be even higher, because he’s actually going to have more wisdom and understanding, but just the feeling of that is hard for a young man to go through at 21 years old.”

Bottom line: Steve Angeli will be present to face off against Notre Dame, but not just on the turf, but rather as the GA. But can Rickie Collins create the same impact?

Rickie Collins takes the wheel

Rickie Collins is set to make his starting debut against the Duke this coming weekend. He was an equal contender for the QB1 gig back in the offseason. However, Angeli got the job, and Collins was the backup quarterback. But the unfortunate injury has put an end to Angeli’s 2025 season. And now it’s in the hands of Collins to lead the offense, under the guidance of both Fran Brown and Angeli.

On Saturday, he took over the offense in the third quarter, when Angeli headed towards the sidelines. He chipped in an 18-yard touchdown pass to WR Justus Ross-Simmons and completed 3-for-8 of his passes for 34 yards. Well, he did not disappoint. The head coach was all smiles for Collins’ future.

“I’m happy for Rickie. I’m excited for him. I thought he handled everything the right way,” Fran Brown said to the press. “No one deserves an opportunity more than he does.” Before Saturday, the QB possessed limited experience, which was also one of the deciding factors in the QB1 battle. At LSU, he appeared in just four games, totalling 38 passing yards.

Moving on, Syracuse will mould its offensive strategy, leveraging Collins’ strengths. Already, the LSU transfer took some detailed notes behind elite quarterbacks. “He’s shadowed Jayden Daniels, he’s shadowed (Garrett Nussmeier),” Brown said. “He got a chance to see Kyle [McCord] here last year, and over the last four weeks he’s been able to be right behind Steve [Angeli], so I think there’s no better place for him to be than to be here.” 

Collins is now the QB1, and again, fresh speculations have spewed about the backup QB. Luke Carney, Jakhary Williams, and Rich Belin are up for grabs.