Syracuse football trailed for nearly the entire game in hits home opener Saturday at the JMA Wireless Dome, falling behind by as many as 11 points with under six minutes left, but stormed back to earn its first win of the season with a 27-20 overtime victory over UConn.
The Orange were down 17-6 late in regulation after a sluggish offensive showing marked by repeated short-yardage failures. UConn capitalized, striking on a double-pass trick play and a 45-yard touchdown run by Mel Brown. The Huskies seemed poised to put the game away when D’Mon Brinson intercepted Steve Angeli early in the fourth quarter, but Syracuse kept fighting.
Angeli ignited the comeback with a 53-yard strike to Justus Ross-Simmons, then orchestrated an 80-yard drive capped by Yasin Willis’ rushing score. A two-point conversion from Darrell Gill gave Syracuse its first lead of the game, but UConn forced overtime on Chris Freeman’s last-second field goal. In the extra frame, Ross-Simmons made a toe-tapping touchdown grab before freshman Antoine Deslauriers swatted away UConn’s fourth-down pass to clinch the victory.
Angeli finished 33-of-53 for 417 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Villari led all receivers with 104 yards on seven catches, while Ross-Simmons added 83 yards and two scores. Willis paced the ground game with 49 yards and a touchdown.
GAME RECAP LINKS
- Syracuse storms back from double-digit deficit for 27-20 OT win vs. UConn (DailyOrange.com)
- SYRACUSE RALLIES PAST UCONN FOR FIRST WIN AT HOME (Cuse.com)
- Syracuse football: Orange rallies for 27-20 OT win over UConn (NunesMagician.com)
- Observations from SU’s overtime win over UConn: Comeback, injury bug (DailyOrange.com)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
FRAN BROWN’S POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
FROM SOCIAL MEDIA
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].