Amari Odom delivered a stellar performance in his first career start for Syracuse, accounting for six total touchdowns to lift the Orange to a dramatic 42-41 overtime victory against UConn at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field, as reported by Sports Illustrated. The thrilling win snaps a skid for Syracuse (2-2, 0-2) and marks their first victory against an Football Bowl Subdivision opponent since September 2025.
Head coach Fran Brown made the bold decision to start Odom over Steve Angeli coming out of the bye week, noting that Angeli had absorbed too many hits through the opening stretch of the season, according to CNY Central. Odom, a Kennesaw State transfer and 2025 All-Conference USA selection, immediately validated the coaching staff’s faith by engineering an explosive offensive attack that kept the Huskies on their heels during a high-scoring first half.
An Explosive First Half and Odom’s Record Night
Odom wasted no time establishing a rhythm, marching Syracuse down the field on the opening drive and connecting with Umari Hatcher for a 30-yard touchdown pass. Though the extra point was blocked, it set the tone for an aggressive offensive game plan. Odom finished the contest completing 27 of 37 passes for 335 yards, throwing five touchdown passes and adding another score on the ground. He was directly involved in all six of Syracuse’s touchdowns.
The Orange built a commanding 27-7 lead before halftime, aided by opportunistic defense. Antoine Deslauriers and Tunmise Adeleye forced crucial fumbles, and Odom capitalized by tossing another deep ball to Hatcher and scrambling for a 6-yard rushing touchdown. However, Adeleye also struggled with discipline, committing three penalties—including a pair of roughing-the-passer infractions and an illegal hands-to-the-face penalty—that helped spark a late-half scoring response from UConn and quarterback Kalieb Osborne.
UConn’s Furious Rally Forces Overtime
Down 34-14 in the second half, the Huskies mounted a relentless comeback. Osborne orchestrated multiple scoring drives, aided by a 71-yard touchdown run from running back Cyncir Bowers that eventually knotted the score at 34-34. The momentum shift included a scary moment in the third quarter when Javon Brown suffered an injury, leading both teams to kneel in silence while he was stretchered off the field.
Syracuse had a chance to win regulation when they drove into field goal range with 1:36 remaining, but freshman kicker Shay Barker pushed a 44-yard attempt wide right. The miss forced the game into an extra session tied at 34.
Overtime Heroics Seal the Victory
In the extra period, UConn elected to let Syracuse defend first, and Osborne quickly found Trey Cornist in the back of the end zone to put the Huskies ahead 41-34. Facing a desperate 4th-and-17 after a sack and an incompletion, Odom tossed a high-risk heave toward the end zone. Hatcher once again came to the rescue, hauling in the crucial reception to narrow the deficit to one point.
Opting to end the game right there rather than kick for a tie, Brown dialed up a gutsy two-point conversion call. Odom took the snap and plowed straight up the middle, breaching the plane to secure the 42-41 victory. Syracuse will now look to carry this momentum into their upcoming ACC matchup against Virginia.