UConn football rallied from 20 points down in the second half to force overtime against the Syracuse Orange, but the comeback fell short in a 42-41 loss at Pratt & Whitney Stadium on Saturday.
“[It’s an] emotionally draining game in a lot of ways,” head coach Jason Candle said. “I’m super proud of our team for responding and doing the things necessary to continue to fight back.”
After falling behind 34-14 with 7:58 left in the third quarter, the Huskies scored 27 unanswered points to tie the game and
send it into overtime. Ultimately, they couldn’t finish the job. In OT, UConn found the end zone first and were primed to seal the victory on defense. The Huskies pushed Syracuse back to the 17-yard line on fourth-and-goal, only to give up a touchdown pass compounded by a roughing the passer penalty. The Orange went for two and converted to come out on top.
UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne completed 19 of 39 passes (48.7%) for 314 yards and three touchdowns. In the backfield, Cyncir Bowers led with 163 rushing yards and crossed the plane twice. In the wide receiver room, Ryder Treadway snagged four receptions for 57 yards, while Ky Wilson suited up for his first meeting as a Husky and posted 52 yards.
On defense, the Huskies were gashed for 509 total yards — 335 through the air and 174 on the ground. They allowed three fourth-down conversions on four tries, including a pair of back-breakers. In the third quarter, UConn gave up a 34-yard touchdown pass on fourth-and-23, then got beat on the aforementioned overtime score.
Out of the gate, Syracuse struck first on a 40-yard bomb from Amari Odom to Umari Hatcher off a bobbled snap. The Huskies blocked the ensuing extra point to limit the Orange’s lead to 6-0. UConn responded by capitalizing on a series of penalties to reach the 9-yard line. There, Osborne connected with wide receiver Cam Abshire to put the Huskies on top 7-6 after a successful extra point.
They had a chance to extend the advantage on their next possession. After the defense forced a quick three-and-out, Osborne nailed tight end Xavier Watson for a 23-yard catch to enter enemy territory. But the drive stalled after an intentional grounding call against the quarterback, then kicker Jack O’Connor’s 40-yard attempt nailed the left upright and bounced out.
Syracuse answered by moving down the field courtesy of a few chunk plays and penalties. They capped it off with a 4-yard touchdown pass to go back ahead, 13-7.
Heading into the second quarter, UConn’s offense stalled. The Huskies punted after a drive that went back four yards, then fumbled on their next two possessions. The Orange capitalized on the mistakes and took a 27-7 lead.
“For nine minutes, it was the worst football I’ve ever seen,” Candle said.
There was some controversy mixed in. With 7:00 left in the first half, Osborne found Bowers in the end zone. Even though the running back seemingly secured the ball and got a foot inbounds, the officials ruled it incomplete and then upheld the call upon review. Osborne fumbled the ball away on the ensuing play.
UConn began to turn the tide just before halftime. After Syracuse kicker Shay Barker missed a 45-yard field goal that was both short and wide, the Huskies’ offense finally kicked back into gear. Trey Cornist plowed through for a four-yard touchdown with 11 seconds left in the second quarter to cut the deficit to 27-14.
Out of the break, Syracuse marched down the field on a drive that lasted over seven minutes. UConn pushed the visitors into a fourth-and-23 situation from the 34-yard line, but after Barker’s bad miss late in the first half, the Orange opted to go for it instead of attempting another field goal. The move paid off. The Huskies’ secondary let Daunte Bacheyie get in behind for a touchdown that put Syracuse up 34-14.
From there, UConn started its comeback. The Huskies answered with a 75-yard drive that ended with a 10-yard rushing touchdown from Bowers.
Going into the fourth quarter, K’Von Sherman batted Odom’s pass down to force a turnover on downs at Syracuse’s own 48-yard line. UConn needed just 25 seconds to score thanks to a 27-yard reception by Wilson followed by a 7-yard touchdown catch by Watson.
The Huskies’ defense came up with a three-and-out to give the offense a chance to tie the game with 12:26 remaining in regulation. It only took two plays. After a 13-yard rush by Osborne on the opening play, Bowers exploded through the line and took it 71 yards to the house to pull even at 34 apiece.
Syracuse was set to go back ahead on the ensuing possession but Jayden Price intercepted Odom on the goal line. UConn drove the ball to the opposing 33-yard line and opted to go for it on fourth-and-one instead of kicking a 50-yard field goal with 1:40 left. A false start then backed the Huskies up five yards, but they kept the offense on the field.
The gamble didn’t work. Osborne couldn’t connect with Shamar Porter on a pass to the sideline and UConn turned it over on downs. The Orange took the ball down to the 25-yard line, but Barker missed another kick as time expired to send the contest to overtime.
Syracuse won the coin toss and elected to send its defense out first. On UConn’s second play, Osborne connected with Cornist for a 25-yard over-the-shoulder touchdown.
The Huskies needed to make one final stop on fourth-and-17 but couldn’t do it. Odom found Hatcher in the back of the end zone, then ran it up the middle for the two-point conversion, and with it, the victory.
With the loss, UConn falls to 2-3 on the season. Next, the Huskies will travel to face Temple on Saturday, Oct. 10.
