Syracuse quarterback shuffle continues as freshman expected to start at Notre Dame

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse is expected to start freshman Joe Filardi against No. 9 Notre Dame, said head coach Fran Brown on Monday.

It will be the second start of the walk-on’s career following a second benching of redshirt-sophomore Rickie Collins. Filardi completed four of his 18 passes in the Halloween loss to North Carolina.

He followed that up by completing all three of his passes at Miami, including a 17-yard touchdown to freshman tight end Elijah Washington-Baker.

“Joe’s going to go in at quarterback and I’m thinking Luke [Carney] could probably get some time this week,” Brown said. “I feel like Joe should go in because of being able to go down and put some points on the board. First time we’ve had a touchdown in some weeks. It sucks saying that.”

Syracuse has gone without a passing touchdown twice this season: against Duke and North Carolina.

The loss to Duke was Collins’s first start, and Syracuse was held to one field goal. If Collins is done for the season, he’ll end the year with seven total touchdowns to 11 turnovers.

While Collins has been benched, his status as Filardi’s backup depends on Carney.

“We’ll figure out the best way for us due to the fact of wanting Luke to be able to redshirt,” Brown said Monday. “So, Luke may play this week, or he’ll play next week. Not really sure.”

Carney has appeared in three games already. The freshman entered Syracuse’s win against Colgate after Collins lost his helmet and was forced to miss a play. Carney ran 9 yards for his first career touchdown.

Syracuse hasn’t allowed Carney to display his passing skills yet. The four-time Texas state champion has just three passing attempts in 21 snaps this season.

Regardless of who plays against Notre Dame, they’ll be facing the 17th-ranked scoring defense in the country. However, the Irish allow 224 passing yards per game, which ranks 77th in the FBS. Syracuse has reached that total three times with Collins at quarterback.