Syracuse football: Orange escape with OT win over UConn in Odom’s first start

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The Syracuse Orange haven’t beaten an FCS opponent in over a year, and that streak is finally over. While it wasn’t pretty and despite blowing a 20-point lead, Syracuse (2-2) defeated the UConn Huskies (2-3) 42-41 in overtime.

Amari Odom made his first start at quarterback for the Orange in place of Steve Angeli and helped them get out to as much as a 34-14 lead in the third quarter. The Huskies rallied back, forced overtime, and scored a game-leading touchdown, but Odom connected with Umari Hatcher, then ran in the game-winning two-point conversion.

Odom went 27/37 for 335 yards, five touchdowns, and two interceptions. Hatcher had 12 catches for 152 yards and three TDs, while Tylik Hill finished with a big day on the ground: 28 carries for 140 yards.

Both teams combined for over 850 yards of offense. Kalieb Osborne finished with 314 yards and three TDs in the air, while Cyncir Bowers had 163 yards and two scores on the ground for UConn.

Odom got the Orange on the board in his first drive as the starting QB after the defense forced a three-and-out from UConn.

He first connected on five-yard passes to Hatcher and Noah Meyers, then scrambled for a nine-yard gain. After a Syracuse timeout, Odom collected a bobbled snap, then found Hatcher for a 40-yard catch to the end zone, giving Syracuse the first touchdown of the game. Syracuse did botch the PAT, keeping the lead at 6-0.

UConn came right back out and responded. Two defensive penalties against the Orange kept the Huskies moving, and Osborne made them pay with an eight-yard TD pass to Abshire. That capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive that put UConn ahead. After the Orange went three-and-out, the Huskies drove down the field again but just missed a 40-yard field goal, keeping the score at 7-6 UConn.

That said, the Syracuse offense found some groove again on its next two drives. A big gain off a screen pass for David Clement and a contested sideline catch by Cole Weaver highlighted the possession. Odom ended it after floating a four-yard pass to Meyers for Syracuse’s second TD of the game.

One possession later, Syracuse capitalized on short field position thanks to a nifty rushing TD to push the Orange’s lead to 20-7.

In a key first-half sequence, UConn was driving and appeared to have a TD caught by Bowers. It was ruled incomplete on the field and after replay review.

Shortly after, the game blew totally open, at least at first. Tunmise Adeleye forced a fumble on Osborne, which the Orange recovered. Odom then kept the offense moving and found Hatcher deep again in one-on-one coverage for his second TD score.

Then, Syracuse forced another fumble, this time by Deslauriers. It led to a 46-yard field goal attempt, which Shay Barker missed. With under two minutes to go, UConn drove 72 yards in 94 seconds to trim the Orange lead down to 27-14 heading into the locker room.

Both teams started the third quarter continuing to put points on the board.

Odom and the Orange received the ball first. They moved the ball 75 yards on a drive that took more than seven minutes. After two successful third downs, Syracuse called a timeout facing 4th and 23 in UConn territory. Instead of punting or attempting a field goal, Syracuse went for it and not just got it, but scored after a 34-yard TD pass to Daunte Bacheyie.

UConn responded with a 75-yard drive that stayed alive after the Huskies converted on two fourth downs and Davien Kerr dropped a potential interception. Bowers would eventually punch in a 10-yard TD run to bring the game back within two scores.

Soon after, Renick Dorilas intercepted a pass from Odom, but the Syracuse defense did force 4th and 10 and stopped the Huskies just short.

However, the Huskies got the Orange back on their next possession. Syracuse would also face 4th down and failed to convert, setting up UConn at the Orange 43-yard line.

The Huskies took advantage. Ky Wilson made a difficult catch at the end of the third. One play later, Osborne rolled out and found Xavier Watson open for the TD, trimming the Orange’s lead to 34-27.

Then, after a Syracuse punt, UConn got an explosive play, and at the right time. Bowers flew by the Orange defense for a 71-yard run and touchdown to tie the game at 34-34, erasing what once was a 20-point lead for Syracuse.

Things continued to tumble for the Orange. Syracuse kept a long drive going for over six minutes and was just seven yards away from the end zone, but Odom threw his second pick of the second half, keeping the game tied.

The fourth quarter continued to wind down, and UConn was moving down the field. A 26-yard pass to JD Willoughby sparked a lengthy Huskies drive into Syracuse territory.

But on fourth and short, UConn was penalized for a false start, pushing the Huskies back. Syracuse got the stop, then moved into long-field goal range with under 30 seconds left. On 3rd and seven, Hill darted inside for a first down, setting up Barker with four seconds left. He pushed it to the right, sending the game into overtime.

Momentum remained with UConn, who scored two plays into OT after Osborne connected with Cornist for 25 yards and the TD.

Then, the Orange offense woke up and delivered. Hatcher caught his third TD pass of the game from Odom, who then narrowly got into the end zone on the two-point attempt after a UConn penalty, sealing the win for Syracuse.

The Orange will stay on the road for its next game, traveling down to Charlottesville for a Saturday night matchup against Virginia.

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