Notre Dame WR Beaux Collins Preparing for USC Rivalry & Homecoming
When Notre Dame takes the field against USC on Saturday, it will be an almost full-circle moment for receiver Beaux Collins.
The 6-foot-3, 202-pounder grew up a few minutes away from USC, but has never played at LA Memorial Coliseum. Saturday will be a dream come true of sorts as Collins has not only attended several games at the historic stadium, but he’ll have a chance to make some history of his own as the Fighitng Irish look to make the College Football Playoff.
“I stayed about 10 minutes west of USC,” Collins stated. “It’s crazy that I’ve never had a game in the Coliseum or anything like that. I’ve been there. Been to a couple games growing up, where the Rams used to play. I’ve had season tickets, but have never been able to play.”
And yes, as a youngster, Collins did believe he would wear a Trojan uniform as he starred at national powerhouse St. John Bosco. At the end of the day, Collins signed with Clemson out of high school and now he’ll get to cherish those few hours inside the Coliseum on Saturday.
“I don’t even know how to explain it,” Collins said. “Growing up, I thought I’d always be the one in the red and gold, but it obviously didn’t play out like that. I’m on a better team now. It’s going to be crazy man, just knowing where I was when I was a kid, just watching guys play there and being able to play there now, it’s amazing.”
That said, Collins also wants to make sure the Irish take care of business on Saturday afternoon. The noise is at all-time high, but it’s also something Collins is used to as Clemson was in this position a few times during his time as a Tiger.
“We do a good job of making sure the young guys stay focused and don’t look too far ahead,” explained Collins. “Coach Free does a good job of reminding us what the pain was like after that NIU loss. We’ve done a great job of not forgetting it — the season went by just like that — and it’s just a by-product of us coming in to work every day, staying in the moment, staying where out feet are, things like that, quite literally. The entire team has done a great job with that.”
The pain from the NIU game is something that gets brought up on a weekly basis. It’s almost been a rallying cry for the program as it’s a dose of reality whenever minds may stray.
“Going through fall camp, I thought we were going to have an undefeated season, and then having something like that [happen], it definitely punched us in the face,” Collins stated. “We had to lock in, say ‘we’re good’ to ourselves — we had to actually put in the work.”
Notre Dame has put in the work and the program hasn’t looked back as the Irish have been rolling through the 2024 schedule. The defense has been the heart and soul of the team, but the offense has really started to come into its own, which provides confidence to the entire program.
“It’s through the roof right now,” said Collins. “Our coaches are doing a great job of helping us keep perspective on things. Where we could be, where we are right now, things like that. I just appreciate them for doing that. A lot of programs and coaches are going to be complacent and settle — ‘Alright, we’re fine, we’re good’, things like that.
“They just keep pushing us, and that eventually turns guys into hungry dogs. Going into a game and being hungry like that — it gives you the most confidence in the world.”
This week’s preparation will drive Notre Dame’s confidence, and Collins' preparation will also involve how he’s spending a few hours of free time as several people want to see him as he returns home.
“I’m making a plan for when I get there,” Collins said. “I’m talking to these people and family, stuff like that. There will be people at the game who I haven’t seen in years. Coach (Mike) Brown mentioned it in our receiver meeting today. We just gotta keep it simple. It’s just another game. I’m gonna try my best to think of it that way.”
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