Friday, September 08, 2000

UC's Collins-Baker key to upset hopes

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Versatile WR will challenge Syracuse defense

By John Erardi
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Jason Collins-Baker (Ernest Coleman photo) | ZOOM |

        Any chance the University of Cincinnati has of upsetting Syracuse at Nippert Stadium Saturday (3:30 p.m. kickoff) depends upon the Bearcats' ability to mix their proven passing game with their newfound running game to get the ball into the end zone.

        Toward this end, UC will rely on one of the most proven pass catchers of them all, senior Jason Collins-Baker.

        Judging by the clutch touchdown catch he made with six minutes left in UC's come-from-behind victory over Army on Monday, one must say UC's "casting directors” knew what they were doing when they gave him marquee treatment in the Bearcats' ongoing media blitz.

        The ads feature a make-believe movie, “Cattitude Adjustment,” starring Deontey Kenner, Mario Monds and Collins-Baker. Kenner didn't have a great game Monday (18-for-28, one TD, two interceptions) and Monds was injured, so it was up to Collins-Baker to carry the torch.

        And he did, both in the game, where he led UC in catches (six) and receiving yards (86), and in the postgame interview room, where he candidly volunteered that he mistakenly had lined up in the wrong receiver's position (colleague Tye Keith belonged there) when he caught the 12-yard touchdown pass to break Army's back.

        “We didn't get confused, though,” Collins-Baker said. “We were calm. We didn't panic. We went ahead and ran the play. We know each other's assignments.”

        Collins-Baker was supposed to be the wide receiver on that play, and Keith

        the near receiver.

        “But when we broke the huddle, he happened to break out before me and I kind of blanked out and forgot to get out wider than him,” Collins-Baker said. “We said (to each other), "Fine, just stay there.'”

        UC coach Rick Minter said the most impressive thing about Collins-Baker in the Army game is that he played every one of the Bearcats' four wide-receiver positions.

        “Guys like L.V. (LaDaris Vann) and Tye might feel they're getting slighted a little bit on catches and big-play opportunities ... but "Bake' was the right man at the right spot Monday,” Minter said. “He had some catches at "X,' "T,' "Y' and "Z.' He moved all across the field. He provides senior leadership and he wants to be out there.”

        Early in the Army game, it looked as though UC could have shredded the Black Knights through the air but stayed with its running game because it didn't know what to expect from the new coach at Army.

        “I think that's the advantage you have when you're an older, more mature team,” Collins-Bak er said. “You can stay patient with less panic.”

        That long feeling-out process isn't expected to occur Saturday against Syracuse. UC is much more familiar with the Orangemen's defense.

        Collins-Baker is UC's most experienced receiver. This is his fourth season at UC. He started 33 games in the previous three seasons. He is known for his precise routes, quickness, good hands and ability to make adjustments.

        He is seeking to become the 11th player in UC history to catch 100 or more passes in his career. He's up to 87, for 1,042 yards.

        His versatility is rooted in his prep career, where he was not only all-state as a receiver (Cass Technical High School in Detroit), but also all-state in track (high hurdles).

        “He's a special individual,” Minter said. “His life is very settled — he's married and he's a Christian young man. He and Timmy Walker went on a missionary trip this past summer to Africa with Athletes in Action. He talks the talk, but he walks the walk, too. He's a dedicated young man and a good practice player.”

       

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