The Syracuse Orange football team pushed its record to 2-2 on the season with 42-41 overtime victory on Saturday afternoon against the UConn Huskies in East Hartford, Conn. 

It's the first win for the Orange against an FBS opponent in more than a calendar year. They had last beaten Clemson on Sept. 20, 2025.

Quarterback Amari Odom's start, the team's aggressive play calling, special teams miscues and improved penalty discipline were some of the many storylines that head coach Fran Brown addressed in the press conference following the Orange's victory. 

Heading into the matchup, we had been told all week that Angeli was going to remain the starting quarterback. However, about an hour before kickoff, that decision was changed:

"Just watching him all week and his legs and seeing what he could with his legs was better than what Steve (Angeli) could do with the legs right now...Steve is healthy and he was cleared and can play, but this kid (Odom) can do this. He can run and just figured could help with the RPOs (run pass options)"

The decision to start Odom over Angeli worked well for the Orange. Odom recorded more than 300 passing yards and six touchdowns in the team's victory. Five of those touchdowns through the air and one on the ground. He also converted on the game ending two-point conversion.

Tripp Woody missed an extra point before being benched for a second consecutive game in favor of kicker Shay Barker. Barker, a freshman, then went on to miss two field goals, including a potential game-winner in the waning seconds with the score tied at 34-34. Brown was asked about his message to Barker:

"I'm coming back to you lock in. It's part of the game, you were built for this, that's why you are in the situation you are in. I got your back, go back out there and make another one"

The special teams woes continued for the Orange for a second straight game. At this point of the season, the Orange aren't bringing in new kickers, so they'll have to get this issue fixed internally. And if they can't, you might see some different playcalling factor in.

"Just after we get the penalty, we are at the one and a half yard line, that's a big difference. We got a quarterback back there who is 6-foot-4, like you know what? Just go for it"

Syracuse trailed 41-34 in overtime before Odom connected with Umari Hatcher for a touchdown to make it 41-40. The two-point conversation decision won the game.

The Orange will play their third consecutive road game in less than a month when they travel to Charlottesville, Va to take on the Virginia Cavaliers on Saturday. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m. ET.

Brown is scheduled to address the media on Monday and will offer his takes on the team during his coaches show on Thursday.