UConn Dismantles Rival Syracuse, Becomes Bowl Eligible

On Rivalry Weekend across the nation UConn came out victorious over Syracuse by a score of 56-31. The win marks the 6th for UConn this season, making them Bowl eligible for the 3rd time in 3 years. Coming out of halftime with a 28-17 lead UConn took the ball 80 yards on 15 plays and scored on a Zach Frazer pass to Marcus Easley in the back of the end zone to take a 35-17 lead. During the drive UConn was faced with a 4th and 6 on the Syracuse 26, but elected to go for the first down because of the strong winds that would pose a problem in the kicking game. Frazer completed a pass across the middle to Brad Kanuch for the first down, which eventually set up the score. After a Syracuse missed field goal and a Frazer interception Syracuse regained possesion, and Greg Paulus hit Lavar Lobdell on a 12 yard touchdown pass to cut UConn lead from 18 to 11. The Huskies wasted no time answering back, as Andre Dixon scored his third touchdown of the day just over 2 minutes later on a 45 yard run to give UConn a 42-24 lead. With 6 minutes remaing and Syracuse down 42-31, Paulus led their spread offense on what looked like a promising drive, but the UConn defense held up on a 4th and 7 and the Orange turned the ball over on downs. The ensuing drive created quite a bit of controversy between Head Coaches Randy Edsall and Doug Marrone. UConn, up 11, was faced with a 4th and 11 on the Syracuse 28 with just over 4 minutes to go. Instead of attempting the field goal Edsall decided to go for it, and Frazer hooked up with Easley again on a 28 yard touchdown pass to give the Huskies a 49-31 lead. After the game Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone had some choice words for Edsall, saying that he was running up the score. With Syracuse trying to salvage their point differential on the following possession, receiver Alec Lemon fumbled a lateral pass, which was recovered for a touchdown by Dwayne Gratz to seal the deal for the Huskies.

Jordan Todman finished the game's leading rusher with 123 yards and a touchdown. Todman has now surpassed 1,000 yards on the season, becoming just the 9th Husky to do so. Andre Dixon finished with 77 yards on 15 carries and 3 touchdowns, which marks his third 3-touchdown game of the season. Lawrence Wilson had yet another standout game for the Huskies on defense, tallying 17 tackles with 1 TFL. Captain Scott Lutrus continued to be solid since returning from his injury, record 11 tackles with 1.5 TFL. Linebacker Greg Lloyd was upended on a chop block late in the 4th quarter and remained on the ground for several minutes with an apparent knee or ankle injury. Edsall said after the game he will be evaluated and more information will be available tomorrow. For Syracuse, probably the most hated man in the stadium by Husky fans, Greg Paulus, had a very solid game. Paulus completed 24 of 32 for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns. Running back Delone Carter surpassed 1000 yards rushing on the season for the Orange with his 102 yard effort on the ground. The Huskies are back in action next week on Senior Day, when the take on South Florida in their regular season finale at home at 8pm.

Halftime: UConn 28 - Syracuse 17

A week after what may have been UConn's biggest win in school history over Notre Dame, the Huskies look like they haven't missed a step as they lead Syracuse 28 to 17 at the half in Rentschler Field. Jordan Todman leads the ground game with 57 yards, including a 37 yard touchdown run in the 2nd quarter which puts him over the 1,000 yard mark for the year. Andre Dixon has been held to just 18 yards on 6 carries but has scored twice. Former Duke Basketball player Greg Paulus has taken the majority of snaps for the Orange, completing 10 of 12 for 117 yards and a touchdown. Sophmore Ryan Nassib has also taken snaps for the Orange when they run option, but has also completed 3 of 5 passing for 33 yards and a score. Wind has been a big factor in the game, as it gave UConn optimal field position early in the game. Syracuse went 3 and out to open the game, and was able to net just 7 yards on the punt into wind gusts of up to 35 mph. UConn took advantage, and went 25 yards for the first score of the game. After a Syracuse field goal, Freshman Mike Lang took the ensuing kickoff 80 yards to the house for a touchdown to make it 14-3. With 3 minutes remaining in the second half and UConn leading 21 to 10, Paulus orchestrated a 7 play, 52 yard touchdown drive to cut the lead to 4. UConn got the ball back with 1:08 left, as Jordan Todman returned the kickoff 34 yards to the UConn 38. Frazer and the Huskies drove 62 yards to score with :08 seconds left on the clock, highlighted by an amazing over-the-shoulder one-handed catch by Marcus Easley deep down the right sideline. The drive was capped by an Andre Dixon 1 yard run to give the Huskies a 9 point lead entering halftime.

Are we really winning?

One doesn't need to be in the locker room right now to imagine what Jim Calhoun is saying to the team, or the vivid language he is most likely using. It can be summed up in 2 words, we stink. Although the Huskies hold a one point lead, Colgate largely dominated the first half of play. The signs of Calhoun's frustration with is teams performance were apparent, with Donnell Beverly making an appearance, and Jim emphatically clapping when Colgate scored. The Huskies did receive good play from Guard Kemba Walker, who seemed to take the game into his own hands late in the half, as well as from freshman Jamal Coombs-McDaniel, who led the team with ten points off the bench.