EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Amari Odom had only 48 hours to prepare for his first career start at quarterback for Syracuse. By the time the game reached overtime Saturday, the redshirt freshman was carrying the Orange’s entire season on his shoulders.
Odom delivered.
With Syracuse’s season hanging in the balance, Odom threw his fifth touchdown pass of the afternoon and then ran for the decisive two-point conversion on the final play of overtime, lifting the Orange to a wild 42-41 victory over UConn at Rentschler Field.
It was a dramatic finish to a game that appeared to belong to Syracuse early, before UConn mounted a furious comeback and turned the afternoon into a back-and-forth thriller.
Odom finished with 335 passing yards and six total touchdowns, repeatedly extending plays with his legs and finding receivers downfield when Syracuse needed an answer.
The biggest answer came on Syracuse’s final possession.
After UConn scored a touchdown on its opening overtime possession, Syracuse faced fourth-and-goal from the 17-yard line. Odom scrambled to buy time before finding Umari Hatcher in the end zone, keeping the Orange alive.
Then came the decision that determined the game.
Following a roughing-the-passer penalty against UConn that moved Syracuse closer to the goal line, Orange coach Fran Brown elected to go for two rather than play for a second overtime period.
Odom took the snap and ran it in.
Game over.
“They say that the best plays that you make are when you scramble,” Odom said. “The scramble drill, once they break off their routes and see me out of the pocket and them getting into my vision so I can make a throw to them, is very important so I can make a throw to them.”
The confidence in Odom’s ability to make plays with his legs was part of the game plan.
“Some things were (added) to the game plan for me to use my legs that Coach (Fran Brown) thought was a good option,” Odom said.
For Syracuse, the gamble paid off.
Hatcher was Odom’s favorite target throughout the afternoon, finishing with 12 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns. The connection between the two became particularly important as UConn erased what had once been a 20-point deficit.
Syracuse jumped out to a commanding lead, but UConn refused to go away.
The Huskies began chipping away at the deficit and eventually pulled even when Cyncir Bowers broke loose for a 71-yard touchdown run with 11:52 remaining.
Bowers finished with 163 rushing yards and two touchdowns, helping UConn remain committed to its ground game even while trailing by 20 points early in the second half.
“I thought to get back into the game, we had to get a couple of stops,” UConn coach Jason Candle said. “We could play balanced offense, we didn’t have to go into throw on every down mode because the kids were getting great movement.”
UConn appeared to have another opportunity to seize control when Odom’s pass was intercepted by Jayden Price at the 1-yard line while Syracuse was attempting to regain the lead.
The Huskies moved into Syracuse territory on the ensuing possession, but could not get close enough to attempt a field goal.
Syracuse then had one final chance in regulation, but its 44-yard field-goal attempt sailed wide, sending the game to overtime.
UConn’s first overtime possession nearly ended in disaster.
The Huskies’ opening play was initially ruled a fumble recovered by Syracuse. After a brief replay review, however, officials overturned the call and ruled the pass incomplete.
UConn immediately capitalized.
On the next play, quarterback Osborne connected with Trey Cornist for a 25-yard touchdown, giving the Huskies their first lead since the opening quarter and putting the pressure squarely on Syracuse.
That’s when Odom delivered his defining moment.
Facing fourth-and-goal, the young quarterback kept the play alive and found Hatcher for the touchdown. Rather than settle for another overtime possession, Syracuse stayed aggressive.
Odom’s legs finished what his arm had started.
The victory improved Syracuse to 2-2, while UConn dropped to 2-3 after coming painfully close to completing one of the biggest comebacks in program history.
The game also carried a sobering moment in the third quarter.
With 3:31 remaining in the period, UConn wide receiver Javon Brown was taken from the field on a stretcher after attempting to make a catch in the end zone. Brown entered the game as one of the Huskies’ leading receivers, with 14 catches on the season.
Syracuse coach Fran Brown opened his postgame press conference by offering prayers for Brown and his family.
Despite the dramatic victory, Syracuse still has plenty to clean up. Odom was nearly flawless during stretches of the first half but also threw two interceptions, leaving the Orange with areas to address before conference play intensifies.
For UConn, the loss was another reminder of how close the program has come to knocking off an ACC opponent at home. The Huskies nearly repeated last season’s upset of Duke, but this time Syracuse escaped with the victory.
The difference was one decision, one play and one quarterback willing to make it happen.
Up Next:
Syracuse: Travels to Virginia on Oct. 10.
UConn: Travels to Temple on Oct. 10.
