Pitt cornerbacks, assistant Archie Collins prepare for ‘sentimental’ finale at Duke
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Archie Collins and Marquis Williams have grown up together at Pitt over the past six seasons.
It was 2018 when Collins was hired as Pitt’s secondary coach, his first full-time job at a Power 5 school. Williams, a freshman at the time, enrolled with an aggressive demeanor coaches demand from their cornerbacks.
Here they are getting ready for the final game of 2023, and Collins is proud of Williams and his veteran cornerback counterparts A.J. Woods and M.J. Devonshire and the trio that has shared the two safety positions, P.J. O’Brien, Javon McIntyre and Donovan McMillon.
“They’ve taken some of the adversity that we had,” Collins said, “and those guys have been honing in with each other. That’s tough to see but good to see at the same time. That’s always something you have to look at and lean on in these kind of times.”
Pitt’s 3-8 record and the total of 14 aerial touchdowns allowed don’t especially please Collins. But Pitt’s pass defense is ranked in the top third of the nation (38th) in average yards allowed (208.1, Pitt’s best since 2019).
The final test emerges Saturday at Duke where — because of injuries to quarterbacks Riley Leonard (toe) and Henry Belin IV (upper body) — the Blue Devils might need to rely on first-year freshman Grayson Loftis.
He made his first career start Nov. 2 in a 24-21 victory against Wake Forest before two- and three-point losses to North Carolina (double overtime) and Virginia. In those three games, Loftis has thrown six touchdown passes and two interceptions.
Collins described the Duke passing game as “very efficient.”
“They have a system, and they follow that system,” he said.
At this point in the season, the opponent matters less than the players Collins is guiding, especially at cornerback. Williams and Woods will be out of eligibility at the end of the game. Devonshire could return if he decides to delay his entry into the NFL Draft by one season.
“It’s sentimental for myself, as well as (the players),” Collins said.
After practice Wednesday, Collins recalled the 2019 Central Florida game where he surprised Williams by suddenly inserting him into the game as a redshirt freshman.
“He didn’t know I was going to play him,” he said. “I knew what kind of heart he had, and the rest is history.”
Williams will make his 45th career start Saturday.
“He’s got the biggest heart of a lion,” Collins said. “You can put him in a closet by himself with somebody else. I don’t care who you’re going to put in there with him. He’s going to come out there. That’s who he is today. It’s been a joy to coach him just because of who he is as a person.”
Devonshire spoke to reporters Wednesday and was clear about one point: He’s eagerly awaiting another chance — whether it’s the last one or not — to join his teammates on the field. He can sort out the future at another time.
“I was always taught growing up, you either have both feet in or all the way out,” he said. “You have to be where your feet are. I just worry about playing with my brothers and enjoying them. If I’m not all the way in for them, I’m shorting them.”
That attitude took root when he transferred from Kentucky in 2021.
Williams approached him, looking to make another friend. “You play ‘Madden?’ ” Williams asked.
He did and does, of course, and a bond quickly formed over a video game.
“The guys embraced me,” Devonshire said. “I came over (to Williams’ house), and it was all DBs. Obviously, I was winning. I’m the best defensive coordinator in the world.”
He said when the defensive backs get together — video games and bowling are the favored off-the-field activities — it’s always fiercely competitive.
“That competition carries over to the field,” he said.
Collins wants all three to return, but he knows Devonshire will make the decision that’s best for him.
“I talk to him about certain things,” he said. “Other people talk to him about certain things. He’s got family at home that talks to him about certain things.
“M.J. is a very, very smart individual. He can pull in everything around him and make the best decision for himself. You have to think about yourself, as well as the team.”