John Carroll QB Joe Collins has been on roll during winning streak
Oct. 27—If this is Joe Collins' final season at John Carroll, the senior quarterback is going out in style.
Technically, Collins has one year of eligibility after this season because of the NCAA COVID-19 waiver allowing an extra year for student-athletes. But the native of Grand Rapids, Mich., said he is unsure of his football plans beyond 2022.
Either way, Collins has performed about as well as expected for the 6-1 and No. 25-ranked Blue Steaks in his first year as the starter and replacement for three-year QB Jake Floriea of Mentor.
JCU next plays at 4-3 Muskingum on Oct. 29, when it hopes to keep pace with Mount Union in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Collins and his teammates have yet to lose in the OAC, riding a six-game winning streak. The Blue Streaks and Purple Raiders are 6-0 in the conference with three regular-season games to play. They meet Nov. 5 in Alliance.
There has been one speed bump for Collins, and it was in the opener at non-conference opponent Washington and Jefferson — the only blemish on JCU's record.
In that game, Collins threw for nearly 300 yards and had three touchdown passes, but he also threw three interceptions — including a pick-six — and fumbled inside the W&J 20-yard line in a 35-26 defeat.
After that loss, JCU had an off-week and one would think that allowed Collins, the offense and the offensive coach staff to re-access and re-evaluate during practice and meetings. Not so.
"We didn't do anything (different)," said JCU offensive coordinator Matt Baker. "I think that Game 1 was an aberration to what Joe was doing all spring and training camp. It was just one of those games. We didn't play well as a team."
The decision to not panic proved to be a smart one. In Collins' last six games, the results have been the kind any QB and at any level would appreciate.
.@JCUFootball QB @joe_collins17 on being named @OHAthleticConf Offensive Player of the Week after going 17 of 22 for 342 yards and 4 TDs in a win over Capital. @jcusports pic.twitter.com/ksmwg1WHQZ
— Mark Podolski (@mpodo) October 27, 2022
Collins has completed 107 of 148 passes (72 percent) for 1,317 yards with 15 touchdown passes against just one interception.
"There's nobody more competitive than Joe," said Baker. "He was fired up and ready to get back at it (after the W&J loss). We have a lot of faith in Joe, and what you've seen is Joe playing great football and so is the whole offense."
Collins looks back to the W&J loss, and said no one was harder on him for that performance than himself. What made that setback easier to handle was knowing the team had his back.
"The biggest thing was my teammates never stopped believing in me," said Collins, who was starting a game for the first time in four years against W&J. "The coaches never did, so that was big for my confidence."
The Blue Streaks' offense is averaging 34.4 points per game and 416.4 yards with Collins directing it. He's also had plenty of help. The offensive line has allowed just eight sacks in seven games, and running back Evan McVay has nearly 800 yards rushing and receiving with nine total touchdowns. Demerius Goodwin and Mason Sullivan of Kirtland have added a combined 588 rushing yards and six more TDs.
"The O-line has been great," said Collins. "I haven't been sore after games. They're doing their job up front, which makes my job a lot easier."
No. 1 wide receiver Brennan Fugh (34 receptions, 639 yards, 5 TDs) has been mega-productive. Also dangerous this fall has been fellow receiver and Kirtland grad Joey Torok, who has 30 catches for 334 yards and two TDs. Tight end Tadas Tatarunas of Mentor has four TDs on 17 receptions.
"The No. 1 thing I've seen from Joe is him willing to get better every week," said Torok. "Joe's one of the most competitive people I know so after that first game he was super eager to get back on the practice field. Each week, he's gotten more confident and that's why he's starting to get the recognition he deserves."
Collins had his best game of the season last week in a win over Capital. He was 17 of 22 passing for 342 yards and four touchdowns and zero interceptions. His first three touchdowns went for 53, 63 and 70 yards as JCU raced to a 21-3 first-quarter lead en route to a 42-10 win Oct. 22. His passer rating for the game was 302.22.
That performance was enough for Collins to earn the OAC's Offensive Player of the Week Award.
"Everybody trusts each other, everybody's confident in each other," said Collins.
John Carroll at Muskingum
When: 1:30 p.m., Oct. 29
Where: McConagha Stadium
Records: JCU 6-1, 6-0 OAC; Muskingum 4-3, 3-3 OAC
Ranking (D3football.com): JCU No. 25
Radio: WJCU-FM 88.7
