The Huskies are looking to snap a six-game losing streak against Syracuse.
After a tough 24-21 loss to Miami (Ohio) last weekend, the UConn Huskies need a big win, a confidence booster and a shot of momentum to get them through an October and November stretch that they hope ends in a bowl berth.
A win against Syracuse on Saturday at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford could do just that.
The Orange (1-2, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) are one of three Power Four conference opponents on the Huskies’ (2-2) schedule. UConn lost soundly to the first one – Maryland – in Week 2, but beating the Orange could help to dim those memories.
And a victory also would snap a six-game losing streak against Syracuse, a streak that dates back to 2012 – the final season that both schools were members of the Big East.
UConn head coach Jason Candle expressed this week just how key this game is to the rest of the season.
UConn head coach Jason Candle says it is time that the contenders will separate from the pretenders in college football. David Butler II-Imagn Images“We got to really learn and continue to move forward. I mean, you’re starting to approach October here,” Candle said.
“You know, all across the country in college football – this is contenders versus pretenders. This is the month that separates everybody.”
Syracuse season to date
The Orange won their opener on Sept. 5 at home, beating FCS program New Hampshire 66-3.
The following week, Syracuse launched a four-game road trip, losing 21-18 at Cal, then 27-13 at Pitt.
In the past two games, Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli turned in miserable performances, going 37-of-75 passing for 468 yards with one touchdown and five interceptions.
Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli (9) runs the ball against Pitt linebacker Braylan Lovelace (0) on Sept. 17 in Pittsburgh. Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images Despite his subpar showings, Angeli is expected to start against UConn.
He had success against the Huskies last season.
On Sept. 6, 2025, Syracuse defeated UConn 27-20 in overtime at the JWA Wireless Dome. Angeli finished 34-of-54 passing for a career-high 416 yards and two touchdowns.
Overlooking the record
Candle isn’t buying into any thoughts that his team will have an easy time against the Orange, coached by Fran Brown. Brown is in his third season and has led Syracuse to a 14-14 record.
Two of those wins have come against UConn.
“This is a good football team we’re playing. You know, Coach Brown has done a good job in his time there of putting a good product and seeing consistent improvement,” Candle said. “I mean, sometimes it may not show up in the record, but, you know, they play really hard on defense, very sound schematically on defense.”
What the numbers say
Candle’s words about Syracuse’s defense ring true upon a review of the numbers.
The Orange are giving up 258.7 yards per game, good for 18th in the nation in total defense. With a so-so rushing defense of 124.0 yards per game given up (tied for 63rd), the passing defense is stellar. Syracuse ranks sixth in the nation in that category at 134.7 yards per game.
On the season, UConn is averaging 422.8 yards of total offense – 181.8 rushing and 241.0 passing.
First-year quarterback Kalieb Osborne is 62-of-101 passing for 850 yards with seven touchdowns and two interceptions for the Huskies. He is averaging 212.5 yards per game.
On Saturday in East Hartford, something’s gotta give.
