Fran Brown gives blunt response to Steve Angeli injury: 'That's why we paid for two'

Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli will miss the rest of the 2025 college football season with a torn Achilles. Despite the ill-timed injury, Syracuse head coach Fran Brown was straightforward in light tough situation.

“That’s why we paid for two,” Brown told Rich Eisen during an appearance on his show Wednesday. “Rickie (Collins) had a heated battle (with Angeli). Rickie be ready to go.”

Collins spent two seasons at LSU before transferring in to Syracuse this offseason. Angeli did the same at Notre Dame, so both have seen what playing for a premier college football program is all about. Still, Collins has little experience. Including this season, Collins has thrown 21 passes during his college career totaling 137 yards. 99 of those have been this season at Syracuse, and he has two touchdowns and an interception to his credit for the Orange this season as well.

Despite this, Brown isn’t concerned that there will be a learning curve for Collins as he becomes the team’s QB1. It’s the next man up mentality at Syracuse.

“I believe in Rickie. I think he’s a great kid,” Brown said. “The best thing about this kid though … he stayed ready. He worked. There’s so many kids that, when they don’t win that spot, they quit. They mope, they sit back and they complain. And we got some on our team that was doing that, but he wasn’t one of those guys.

“He was in there every night watching tape with Steve, pushing Steve. Those guys got so close. They became real good friends, and I’m excited to see him get this opportunity. I’ve got a feeling that he’s going to do really well.”

Brown calls him ‘Slick Rick’ for his play on the field. Whether that nickname translates to Saturday’s remain to be seen, but Week 5 won’t be a children’s story for the Baton Rouge, LA native. Duke (2-2, 1-0 ACC) may not be the toughest opponent on paper, but comes at a time for the Orange one week following its monumental win over Clemson in Death Valley. Syracuse is riding a high — with a new quarterback under center — against a Blue Devils squad that would love to play spoiler to Collins’ first start.

Kickoff between the Orange and Blue Devils is set for Saturday at Noon ET. The game will air live on the ACC Network as Syracuse looks to move on from Angeli’s injury with a new QB1 calling its signals.