Rickie Collins, the redshirt sophomore transfer from LSU, will start at quarterback for Syracuse football at No. 18 Miami on Saturday afternoon, according to head coach Fran Brown.
Collins, who has struggled with his accuracy this season, had started four games but didn't get the call in the Orange's home loss to North Carolina a week ago. In his place, walk-on freshman Joseph Filardi started, and he, too, struggled with his accuracy, going just 4-of-18 for 39 yards.
The 'Cuse has lost five straight, and quarterback play has been an issue ever since redshirt junior Steve Angeli, the Notre Dame transfer, suffered a season-ending injury when the Orange won at Clemson.
For the 2025 campaign, Collins is completing 54.5 percent of his passes for 957 yards with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Freshman Luke Carney has also played a bit in 2025, although Syracuse football coaches have seemed hesitant to let him throw. Let's see if either Carney or Filardi get some playing time at the Hurricanes.
Syracuse football will be without a key wide receiver.
In the Orange's initial injury report disclosed to the Atlantic Coast Conference on Thursday night, one name that stands out is redshirt freshman wide receiver Emanuel Ross, who is out against Miami. Ross is one of the team's up-and-coming young receivers.
In 2025, he has caught 10 passes for 110 yards and one score through the air. His total receiving yards are No. 6 on the 'Cuse roster, and Ross is No. 1 among underclassmen in that category.
Conversely, Miami will be without its leading rusher. Junior running back Mark Fletcher Jr. is listed as out for Saturday's ACC game. This season, he has 125 carries for 636 yards and nine touchdowns on the ground.
For Syracuse football, others who are listed as out include redshirt senior defensive lineman Chase Simmons and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Joshua Miller, among others. Redshirt senior offensive lineman Austin Collins, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Naquil Betrand and redshirt senior offensive lineman TJ Ferguson, among others, are questionable.
Redshirt junior linebacker Gary Bryant III and redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Trevion Mack are both listed as probable.