Orange overcome Huskies comeback, win 42-41 in OT

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — Amari Odom waited for his chance and delivered when Syracuse needed him most.

In his first career start, Odom tied Syracuse’s single-game record with five touchdown passes and added a rushing score as the Orange rallied past UConn 42-41 in overtime Saturday at Rentschler Field.

Odom became just the fifth player in program history to account for six touchdowns in a game. His final score came on the game-winning two-point conversion in overtime, when he followed his offensive line into the end zone.

The Orange had built a 34-14 lead before UConn scored 27 unanswered points to tie the game and force overtime.

“I just told them if I get that look, I’m following y’all,” Odom said. “I had to finish the play, and it was do or die.”

Odom connected with wide receiver Umari Hatcher early and often. Hatcher set career highs with 12 receptions, 152 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

The duo connected on a 40-yard touchdown in the first quarter and a 41-yard score in the second. Hatcher accounted for 101 receiving yards in the first half alone.

“I just seen it was press,” Hatcher said. “And I like my speed over anyone else’s speed, and I like my technique over anyone else’s technique.”

Hatcher became the first Syracuse player with at least 10 receptions in a game since Oronde Gadsden had 10 against UConn in 2024.

Syracuse opened the game by forcing UConn into a turnover on downs. Odom then found Hatcher for the 40-yard touchdown, but UConn blocked the extra point to keep the Orange’s lead at 6-0.

UConn responded with a touchdown pass from Kalieb Osborne to Cam Abshire to take a 7-6 lead. Syracuse answered with an eight-play, 78-yard drive capped by Odom’s 4-yard touchdown pass to tight end Noah Meyers.

The touchdown marked Meyers’ first in a Syracuse uniform and made him the third different Orange tight end to score this season.

Odom added a rushing touchdown before finding Hatcher again to give Syracuse a 27-7 advantage. UConn cut the deficit before halftime when Trey Cornist scored on a 4-yard run with 11 seconds remaining.

Syracuse opened the second half with its longest scoring drive of the season, marching 75 yards in 14 plays and taking 7:02 off the clock. Facing fourth-and-23, Odom found Daunte Bacheyie for a 34-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 34-14.

Then the game changed.

UConn answered with a 14-play drive that included two fourth-down conversions before Cyncir Bowers scored on a 10-yard run. After Odom threw an interception to Renick Dorilas, the Huskies reached the Syracuse red zone but turned the ball over on downs.

UConn continued its comeback in the fourth quarter. Osborne found Xavier Watson for a 7-yard touchdown before Bowers broke a 71-yard touchdown run to tie the game at 34 with 11:52 remaining.

Syracuse had a chance to win in regulation, but Shay Barker missed a 44-yard field goal as time expired.

UConn took the lead in overtime when Osborne connected with Cornist for a 25-yard touchdown. Syracuse answered when Odom found Hatcher for a touchdown on fourth down.

The Orange then went for two.

Odom followed his offensive line into the end zone to give Syracuse the 42-41 victory.

“Just waited for my opportunity and to take advantage of my opportunity, and I did that today,” Odom said.

Odom said he found out Thursday that he would start. Head coach Fran Brown said Odom’s ability to make plays with his legs helped separate him during the week, although Steve Angeli remained healthy and available.

“They’ve been competing all week,” Brown said.

Brown said Odom will continue to compete for the starting job moving forward.

While the offense provided the final push, Syracuse’s defense also made critical plays throughout the game. Tunmise Adeleye recorded a sack and forced fumble, extending his sack streak to four games. Nissi Ogbebor added a sack, four quarterback hurries, and five tackles, while Chris D’Appolonia led the Orange with nine tackles.

Antoine Deslauriers recorded seven tackles and forced a fumble.

Despite those plays, Syracuse struggled to contain UConn after halftime and allowed the Huskies to erase a 20-point deficit.

“We just gotta keep pushing, keep fighting,” Brown said.

Syracuse survived to extend its winning streak over UConn to seven games. The Orange also won its second consecutive overtime matchup against the Huskies.

For Odom, the victory turned his first start into a record-tying performance and gave Syracuse a win it nearly let slip away.