Syracuse Survives UConn in OT Thriller and Enjoy Post-Game Sprints Following Victory

A win is a win, but sometimes it feels like anything but. That was the palpable feeling inside the JMA Wireless Dome on Saturday as Syracuse scraped by UConn with a 27-20 overtime victory. The final score might show a ‘W‘ in the column, but the journey to get there was a turbulent, often frustrating ride that left fans, and clearly head coach Fran Brown, with more questions than answers.

Instead of a triumphant exit to the locker room, the Orange were met with an immediate post-game punishment: sprints. Every single player. Coach Fran Brown stood in the middle of the field, directing traffic, his face a mask of frustration. It was a bizarre, almost unheard-of scene after a victory, but it sent a crystal-clear message. This wasn’t good enough.

“I‘m so pissed. I’m mad as heck right now,” Brown said in his post-game interview. “You either coach it or allow it, so I feel that I’m allowing it… I just want to hold them to the standard of who they are.”

That standard was nowhere to be found for the first 50 minutes of the game. Syracuse looked disjointed, lethargic, and completely out of sync. The offense, which was expected to build on a promising start to the season, sputtered and stalled repeatedly against a hungry UConn defense.

Offensive Struggles Nearly Cost Syracuse the Game

For three and a half quarters, the Syracuse offense was an exercise in futility. Quarterback Steve Angeli was under constant pressure, sacked three times, and hurried on countless other plays. The running game was non-existent, managing a paltry 44 yards on the ground for the entire game. Red zone opportunities in the first half were squandered with a baffling predictability.

A fourth-and-2 direct snap to Tight End Dan Villari was stuffed. Another fourth-down attempt later ended in a sack and a fumble. The home crowd grew restless, their groans echoing through the Dome as drive after drive fizzled out.

UConn, on the other hand, played with a chip on its shoulder. They executed a trick play for their first touchdown and capitalized on Syracuse’s mistakes. They were the more physical, more disciplined team for the majority of the contest. When UConn Quarterback Joe Fagnano connected with his receivers, or when running back Mel Brown broke free for a 45-yard touchdown run, it felt like the Huskies were simply the better team.

The Orange trailed 17-6 heading into the final frame, and a sense of dread had settled over their home turf. When Angeli threw an interception early in the fourth, fans began heading for the exits. It felt like the nail in the coffin and another disappointment after last week’s loss to Tennessee in Atlanta.

A Fourth-Quarter Spark

Then, something clicked. With just over five minutes left, facing a two-possession deficit, the Syracuse offense suddenly woke from its slumber. Angeli, who had been struggling all day, found a new gear. He launched a perfect 53-yard bomb to Justus Ross-Simmons for a touchdown that breathed life back into the stadium. The two-point conversion failed, but the momentum had shifted.

The defense held, getting the ball back with two minutes on the clock. Angeli orchestrated an 80-yard masterclass, highlighted by a crucial 26-yard pass to the ever-reliable Dan Villari. Freshman Yasin Willis capped the drive with a powerful 3-yard touchdown run, and a successful two-point conversion suddenly put Syracuse ahead 20-17 with only 48 seconds left.

But the drama wasn’t over. UConn marched down the field, aided by a miraculous one-handed catch on fourth down by Skyler Bell, setting up a 41-yard field goal that sent the game into overtime.

In overtime, Syracuse got the ball first. Angeli, now brimming with confidence, found Ross-Simmons for a 6-yard touchdown on a beautifully executed play. The defense, which had bent but not broken all day, had one last stand to make. On fourth-and-3 from the 4-yard line, freshman Linebacker Antoine Deslauriers broke up the pass, sealing a wild, improbable comeback for Syracuse.

Final Thoughts

It was a victory born from sheer will and late-game heroics, but the post-game sprints tell the real story. This Syracuse team has heart, but it lacks consistency. Coach Brown knows that relying on last-minute miracles isn’t a sustainable path to success. The win keeps their season alive, but the punishment run under the Dome lights was a stark reminder that if Syracuse wants to compete for real hardware, they have a lot of work to do.