Orange grades from OT UConn win: Odom answers at QB, special teams crisis
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Exhale, Syracuse fans.
The Orange needed overtime and weathered 27 unanswered points across the third and fourth quarters, plus overtime, to conquer an outmatched UConn team that already lost to Miami (Ohio) and Maryland this season.
But SU survived.
A win is a win, right? You can celebrate the victory — maybe not too much. More like lowering your heart rate after what was expected to be a walk or leisurely run in the park turned into a full sprint. Then, Syracuse can assess the performance.
“Both teams will tell you we got a lot to clean up,” SU head coach Fran Brown said postgame Saturday.
On that note, here are position-group grades from Syracuse’s 42-41 win over UConn:
Quarterback: B+
After saying Steve Angeli would remain the Orange’s starter early in the week, Brown sent shockwaves by starting Amari Odom Saturday. But his change under center largely worked.
Odom threw for five touchdowns and ran for another, racking up 335 yards in the air. His six touchdowns are tied for second-most in a game in program history.
Even though the Kennesaw State transfer finished with -2 yards on the ground, Odom still flashed his ability to extend plays with his legs.
The game’s final two snaps showcased what Odom offers to SU. Backed into a fourth-and-17 in overtime, Odom picked out Umari Hatcher with a dart to the end zone to keep the Orange alive.
Odom took a hit on the play, which was ruled roughing the passer, and set Syracuse up on the 1-yard line. Then, on the ensuing two-point conversion, Odom kept the ball and stormed across the plane to win the game.
Granted, the 6-foot-4 signal caller’s two interceptions allowed UConn back into the game. But Odom shook off the picks and dip in performance in the second half to save Syracuse from what would have been a calamitous loss. He should have the starting gig from now on. The Orange’s quarterback concerns look resolved.
Running back: B
The running back unit gets a solid B grade, but it was Tylik Hill who did most of the work, like one student carrying a group project. Ju’Juan Johnson and Shavane Anderson Jr. didn’t play, and Ahmad Miller ran just eight times, so the lion’s share of snaps went to Hill in his first action since suffering a quad injury on an early run versus Cal.
Hill compiled 140 yards on 28 carries — see, one heck of a load. The 5-foot-9 sophomore’s efforts earned him the highest Pro Football Focus grade of any SU player at 77.4. He came up particularly huge late in the game when Syracuse’s offense was struggling. If Hill stays fit and consistent, he could be a back Syracuse can rely on. However, he might need to keep shouldering much of the running responsibilities.
Receiver/Tight end: A-
It’s another high grade for an offensive position group and, again, one player bore most of the burden. Hatcher was spectacular, hauling in 12 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
His place as SU’s top receiver was clear through the first week of the season, but his ability to make big grabs for big yardage was on show in East Hartford. He outran the Huskies’ secondary for a 40-yard touchdown on Syracuse’s first drive. He snatched a 41-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Then, on the fourth-and-goal in overtime, Hatcher freed himself in the end zone to keep the Orange alive.
On top of Hatcher, the wide receiver group showed other potential. Five-star recruit Calvin Russell III made his debut Saturday. Although he only had two receptions, expect him to have a larger role moving forward, which is exciting for the Orange. Russell’s close friend and fellow Miami Northwestern product Darius Johnson also grabbed four passes for 47 yards.
Then, you toss in the tight ends. A would-be botched fourth-and-23 became a Daunte Bacheyie touchdown. Noah Meyers also tacked on a touchdown, while David Clement had 20 yards on two catches. A preseason question — receiving — suddenly has a lot of answers.
Offensive line: C+
Syracuse’s offensive line was fluid Saturday, with eight players subbing in and out of the normally-constant unit. Overall, the group had mixed results.
Center Joe Cruz and right guard Byron Washington ceded their spots to Kahlil Stewart and Jayden Mann for stretches. Mann came away with the best pass blocking grade, per PFF, at 77.0. Stewart wasn’t far behind at 76.9. Cruz had a lowly 47.7 mark.
Odom was sacked two times and avoided more due to his speed and footwork. However, the offensive line did just enough to buy him enough time and SU’s running backs enough space to escape against the Huskies.
Defensive line: B-
UConn quarterback Kalieb Osborne was under duress frequently Saturday, getting sacked three times. It could’ve been more, but the Orange’s Tunmise Adeleye was called for four penalties, along with the key fumble he forced. Nissi Ogbebor totaled 10 pressures and logged a 15-yard sack on Osborne.
However, Syracuse’s defense weakened in the second half, giving Osborne more time to make passes and eventually pull UConn ahead in overtime. The Huskies’ 181 yards on the ground is also a mark against SU’s defensive line. Osborne got running, while running back Cyncir Bowers, who had 163 rushing yards, torched SU with a 71-yard run to tie the game at 34-34 in the fourth quarter.
Linebacker: B-
Missed tackles afflicted Syracuse versus Pitt. Linebackers Antoine Deslauriers and Chris D’Appolonia largely corrected that issue against UConn. They led the Orange with 82.2 and 81.0 tackling grades, respectively. Plus, Deslauriers posted a team-high 82.4 grade on pass coverage and forced a fumble.
D’Appolonia’s biggest tackle was bringing down the Huskies’ Ryder Treadway a yard short of a first down in the third quarter, which resulted in a UConn turnover on downs. D’Appolonia led SU with nine tackles against his old head coach Jason Candle, while Deslauriers recorded seven.
Secondary: D+
Giving up 318 yards in the air is never a good sign, but the ease in which UConn cut through Syracuse’s defense like a knife through hot butter was especially concerning.
The best pass coverage grade of an SU starter in the secondary was 63.4 to Davien Kerr. Chris Peal, who was deployed out of position at safety at times, finished with a 56.7 grade. Meanwhile, Demetres Samuel Jr. also had a day to forget with a 57.9 grade, giving up 84 yards on five receptions while in coverage.
Special teams: D-
It needs to be said: Syracuse has a kicker emergency. Tripp Woody missed two extra points and three field goals and was benched for freshman Shay Barker during the Pitt game, then whiffed a PAT Saturday. After making two field goals against the Panthers, Barker badly missed two field goals versus UConn.
He had the chance to be the hero at the end of regulation, but he shanked his 44-yard bid wide.
Punter Jimmy Gregg replaced Rich Belin as holder after an early missed Barker PAT. Brown’s son, Fran Brown Jr., as the long snapper also warrants scrutiny.
The Huskies only punted twice, so Syracuse couldn’t flash its punt-return potential. But SU’s special teams allowed UConn’s Julian Allen to return a kickoff for 48 yards in the second quarter.
Coaching: C+
Some bold gambles worked for Syracuse, but some also backfired. First, naming Odom starter was the correct decision and finally gave the Orange a spark and mobility under center.
However, the clock management late in the game nearly cost SU. It turned the ball over on downs late in the third quarter when it opted to throw for two yards rather than run. Syracuse was fortunate Bacheyie scored on a fourth-and-23 when a field goal was an option. SU could’ve managed the final drive of the fourth quarter better, when Barker missed a would-be-winner.
The defense in the second half was certainly suspect, allowing the Huskies to score 27 straight points. Brown took full responsibility postgame with the victory in hand. Doing that against any team remaining on the Orange’s schedule will have deleterious consequences.
