UConn vs. Syracuse Postgame Media Availability
Syracuse converted a two-point conversion in overtime to claim victory over the UConn Huskies at Rentschler Field, 42-41, at the end of a frenzied contest.
The Orange scored 21 straight in the second quarter to take a 27-7 lead and then UConn (2-3) scored 14 in the fourth quarter to force overtime. The Huskies scored first in the extra session but gave up eight to drop the game at the end.
The visitors went with a new starter under center in Amari Odom, and he performed quite well, finishing with 335 passing yards and six total touchdowns as he completed 73 percent of his passes.
Umari Hatcher was his favorite target, grabbing 12 for 152 with three touchdowns. They connected for the first touchdown of the game from 40 yards out to make it 6-0 after the extra point missed.
The Huskies responded with a touchdown drive that Kalieb Osborne kept alive with a scrambling pass to Ryder Treadway before he found Cam Abshire from eight yards out for the score as UConn briefly took the lead, 7-6.
The home team had a chance to build on that after forcing a three-and-out on the ensuing drive and drove 50 yards down the field, but missed a 40-yard field goal at the end of the first quarter.
The Orange were not having any trouble moving the ball at this stage. After two consecutive completions over 25 yards, they went up 20-7 thanks to a four-yard completion to TE Noah Meyers.
UConn went nowhere and punted on its ensuing drive and then allowed another touchdown as Odom found Hatcher deep again to make it 27-7 with three minutes left in the first half.
The Huskies fumbled on their first play from scrimmage of the next possession, luckily holding Syracuse to a missed field goal off the turnover. With 1:45 left in the half, Osborne led a touchdown drive, highlighted by two long completions to Javon Brown and an 18-yarder to Ryder Tredway, to set up a Trey Cornist run into the end zone and make it 27-14 at the break.
Syracuse took the opening kick of the second half and moved the ball with ease, until their drive stalled and found them at 4th & 23 from the UConn 34. Odom found Daunte Bacheyie for a TD on that play to make it 34-14 halfway through the third quarter.
The Huskies ran behind Bowers on their next drive before a 15-yard scramble from Osborne set up a 10-yard Bowers rushing TD and made it 34-20. Syracuse threw a pick on its first play of the next drive, but UConn turned it over on downs to give the ball right back.
Syracuse turned it over on downs six plays later as it literally ran to Tylik Hill on each play, hoping to burn the clock. After the Huskies got the ball back, Osborne found Flash Wilson for 27 yards and then hit TE Xavier Watson for a 7-yard touchdown to make it 34-27.
The Husky defense held up on the ensuing possession, forcing a punt to get the ball back with 14 minutes left. Bowers broke a 71-yard TD run to tie the game at 34 with 12 minutes left.
The Orange were driving on their next possession, but a goalline pick by Jayden Price ended their threat. The Huskies did a nice job of getting into Orange territory with two long completions to Willoughby, finding themselves with 3rd & 5 from the opponents’ 34. A Bowers run came up just short, and then a false start send them to 4th & 6. They missed the attempt from there.
Syracuse had a chance with a field goal at the end of regulation but missed, sending the game to OT.
Osborne hit Cornist on a wheel route on the first play fo overtime for a 25-yard TD, making it 41-34.
But Odom found Hatcher for the matching score and then the QB ran in a two-point conversion that was reviewed and confirmed to give Fran Brown’s squad the win, 42-41.
Osborne finished with 314 passing yards and three TDs but completed only half of his attempts. Flash Wilson sprang into action with a team-high four receptions for 52 yards as one of four Huskies over 49 receiving yards.
The Huskies visit Temple next week as they look to even their record. Kickoff will be at 3:45 p.m. from Lincoln Financial Field, and the game will be televised on ESPNU.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
First-quarter Syracuse: 11:45 - Amari Odom 40-yard passing touchdown to Umari Hatcher (PAT blocked by Zakaih Saez). Drive: 7 plays, 70 yards. TOP 2:34. UConn 0, Syracuse 6
UConn: 9:31 - Kalieb Osborne 8-yard passing touchdown to Cam Abshire. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards. TOP 2:14. UConn 7, Syracuse 6
Second-quarter
Syracuse: 13:39 - Amari Odom 4-yard passing touchdown to Noah Meyers. Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards. TOP 4:04. UConn 7, Syracuse 13
Syracuse: 9:22 - Amari Odom 6-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 5 plays, 47 yards. TOP 2:02. UConn 7, Syracuse 20
Syracuse: 3:26 - Amari Odom 41-yard passing touchdown to Umari Hatcher. Drive: 7 plays, 79 yards. TOP 3:27. UConn 7, Syracuse 27
UConn: 0:11 - Trey Cornist 4-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 8 plays, 72 yards. TOP 1:34. UConn 14, Syracuse 27
Third-quarter
Syracuse: 7:58 - Amari Odom 34-yard passing touchdown to Daunte Bacheyie. Drive: 14 plays, 73 yards. TOP 7:02. UConn 14, Syracuse 34
UConn: 3:46 - Cyncir Bowers 10-yard rushing touchdown (PAT missed). Drive: 14 plays, 75 yards. TOP 4:12. UConn 20, Syracuse 34
Fourth-quarter
UConn: 15:00 - Kalieb Osborne 7-yard passing touchdown to Xavier Watson. Drive: 3 plays, 35 yards. TOP 0:25. UConn 27, Syracuse 34
UConn: 11:52 - Cyncir Bowers 71-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 2 plays, 84 yards. TOP 0:34. UConn 34, Syracuse 34
Overtime
UConn: Kalieb Osborne 25-yard passing touchdown to Trey Cornist. Drive: 2 plays, 25 yards. UConn 41, Syracuse 34
Syracuse: Amari Odom 17-yard passing touchdown to Umari Hatcher (Amari Odom two-point run). Drive: 6 plays, 24 yards. UConn 41, Syracuse 42
