Freshman quarterback Scott McCummings scored two fourth-quarter touchdowns to help the University of Connecticut defeat Syracuse University, 28-21, in a Big East Conference game at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, CT. UConn (4-5, 2-2 Big East) trailed 21-14 entering the fourth quarter, but used a pair of rushing touchdowns from McCummings, the last coming with 4:51 to play, to down SU (5-4, 1-3) for the fifth straight time. Syracuse failed to become bowl eligible for the second straight week.
Despite turning the ball over five times in the first half, the Huskies played almost a flawless second half scoring on three of its four drives -- the non-scoring drive came on the games' final possession when UConn was running out the clock in victory formation. Meanwhile, UConn's defense, which allowed two touchdowns in the third quarter, did not allow a score in the fourth.
UConn freshman running back Lyle McCombs, who rushed for 152 yards and a touchdown, was the Huskies MVP and helped make up for the poor play of junior quarterback Johnny McEntee, who completed just eight of his 14 passes for 113 yards and three interceptions.
Syracuse senior quarterback, Ryan Nassib struggled in the first half, but found a rhythm in the second half to finish 24-of-39 for 275 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Senior wide receiver Alec Lemon caught nine passes for 157 yards, while senior running back Antwon Bailey was held to just 50-rushing yards.
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