UConn Football: Huskies collapse to Syracuse in Week 2 OT loss, 27-20

SYRACUSE, NY — In perhaps the most entertaining football matchup of Saturday’s slate, the Syracuse Orange were able to pull off a heroic comeback, climbing back from down 17-6 late in the fourth quarter to eventually pull away with a 27-20 victory over the UConn Huskies in Week 2.

The Huskies were the first the score, and kept the lead until the final minute of the fourth quarter. However, they weren’t dominant enough to hold off a late-game surge from the Orange, led by quarterback Steve Angeli.

Here were the main takeaways from this matchup, and what this means for UConn.

UConn Football: Huskies Fall Short to Syracuse in OT

Start: All UConn

Syracuse entered this game as 7.5-point favorite per ESPNBET, and for good reason. They were nationally ranked last year, and finished as one of the top teams in the ACC. While they lost many of its key offensive pieces in the offseason, the Orange were projected to win this game. UConn had different plans, however, and played like it out of the gate.

UConn shut down Syracuse inside the 10-yard line twice in the first half, holding off scoring changes while scoring a pair of touchdowns of their own. The first came deep from the bag of tricks, where quarterback Joe Fagnano pitched it to backup wide receiver Josh Neider, who found tight end Alex Honig wide open in the end zone.

After silencing the crowd, the Huskies also scored to end the first half on a 45-yard burst from Mel Brown. He read his blocks well, angled his body towards his own sideline, and took it for a house-call.

Meanwhile, Syracuse’ offense was hard to watch. Even when a glimmer of hope would enter, Angeli continued to find ways to screw it up. He made horrible decisions throwing in the middle in the field, lofted footballs that needed to be thrown with more pace, and was far too jittery in the pocket. He also had some bad lowlights. That included a fumble on a huge fourth down attempt in opposing territory, an ugly interception in the second half, and many other throws that should have resulted in turnovers.

Fans were not happy, and boos represented the majority of the second and third quarters. Students had spoken: they wanted Rickie Collins to sub-in, who had lost the starting quarterback battle to Angeli during training camp. At least, those who were still left.

Quickly, a packed student-section started to empty. The Huskies led 14-6 at the half and 17-6 well into the fourth quarter because of its chunk-plays offensively and prominent defensive presence. The postgame headline was set: UConn is legit. 

The Orange instead decided to shift the story in the final minutes.

Syracuse’ Fourth Quarter Comeback

With less than six minutes to go in the fourth quarter, every ounce of momentum had shifted toward the UConn sideline. The Syracuse offense had recently turned the football over, and weren’t moving down the field.

Meanwhile, the Huskies had a two-score cushion in their biggest game of the season on the road. The Orange were facing a fourth and four from midfield. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, Angeli darted a pass downfield for to Justus Ross-Simmons for a 47-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to five. At that point, however, UConn controlled the football with one of the country’s most efficient rushing offenses. But they weren’t able to run out the clock, and left the door open for the best drive of the day.

In just 78 seconds, the Orange went 80 yards on ten plays for a touchdown and a two-point conversion, taking a three-point lead. The Angeli that fans were calling to take out of the game just minutes earlier seemed different. He commanded the pocket well, scrambled when he needed to, hit his receivers in stride. He threw with great timing and accuracy, and sparked a new life into the Orange offensive attack. And the results followed, as the Orange took a three-point lead with 48 seconds left.

“Just got to fight,” Angeli shared postgame. “Have to keep fighting.”

Orange Pull Away in OT

At that point, Connecticut was hanging on by a thread. An incredible fourth down catch from wide receiver Skyler Bell and clutch 41-yard field goal from Chris Freeman sent the game to overtime, though it felt obvious: Syracuse was going to win. They had all of the momentum, and the team that nearly the entire country marked as “more talented” than its Week 2 opponent had found its groove.

Syracuse scored a touchdown on its first possession of overtime, while UConn failed after gaining half of the yardage needed on a defensive pass interference penalty. The Orange had survived, and took back the game that was taken away from them in the early moments.

Biggest Positive

UConn’s third down defense was another positive for the program. This was an area in which they were one of the country’s most efficient defenses a season ago. Whether that would be replicated with nine new defensive starters still remained to be seen. But they were stout in this matchup. The Orange were 4-for-13 on third down after they were eighth in the country in conversion just last season.

Glaring Negative

Another bad day from long-snapper Zach Christinat highlights the negative in this matchup. After an error on his first snap of the game against Central that led to the Blue Devils only touchdown, he again botched a snap for punter Connor Stutz that he couldn’t control before being mobbed by Orange defenders.

Syracuse took over well in their own territory and collected three points. Of all of the Huskies points that they’ve allowed this season, 10 of them have been almost a direct result of poor special teams play from Christinat.

UConn Football: Other Key Takeaways from Week 2

Mel Brown’s lack of usage

UConn came into the season prioritizing a balanced rushing attack, though that didn’t feel apparent on Saturday. Cam Edwards, who struggled to get going early in the game, was given 21 carries. Mel Brown on the other hand, one of UConn’s East-West Shrine Bowl 1000 Watch List recipients, garnered just five touches despite taking one 45 yards to the house.

Even Victor Rosa and wide receiver Terrance Smith were just as involved in the backfield as Brown. Considering UConn’s rushing game was slow for most of the day, this was a shocking twist.

Fagnano limits the Huskies

The conversation surrounding quarterback Joe Fagnano was never that he could become an elite starting quarterback. But after his 2024 success, his Week 2 performance in Syracuse was underwhelming.

Yes, he took care of the football, and didn’t put the ball up for grabs. However, he also struggled to make the big plays when needed. He under-threw many of his receivers, including one to tight end Louis Hansen in the first half that cost UConn a scoring chance. He completed under 56-percent of his passes and didn’t throw a touchdown.

Lack of third down success

While UConn held strong on third down defensively, so did Syracuse. The Huskies finished just 4-of-17 on third down, shocking for a team that is often very efficient and extends drives. Although, it came because of many third-and-longs. UConn’s rushing offense never gained significant traction, setting up must-pass situations on third down. And they couldn’t convert.

Standout of the Game: Skyler Bell

For a second consecutive game, Skyler Bell was the clear standout in this matchup. He saw limited targets in the first half but elevated his play in the second half. Bell finished with eleven catches for 105 yards, eclipsing 100 yards in back-to-back games to start the season. He now is seventh in the country in yardage after two games, and just 22 yards separated from the country’s leading receiver. With his usage, he could stay among the FBS leaders in receiving categories. Bell made the conscious decision to turn down a lucrative NIL offer from Michigan and stay the top option in Storrs. and made the correct choice.

Stat To Know

Syracuse scored more points in their final three drives than Connecticut scored the entire game.

UConn Football: What’s Next After Week 2?

The Huskies again travel on the road this coming week to face Delaware in their first FBS season. After their dominance for 50-to-52 minutes of this road ACC clash, UConn should have the edge. But the goal for head coach Jim Mora and the Huskies should be to rebound with a strong performance, and not allow a last-minute collapse in Week 2 to tell the story of the entire season.