Syracuse snaps 12-game skid by shutting down Connecticut 20-14

SYRACUSE, N.Y. (AP) -- Curtis Brinkley scored two touchdowns, the Syracuse defense shut down Connecticut's running game, and the Orange beat the Huskies 20-14 on Saturday to snap a 12-game Big East losing streak.
Syracuse (4-7, 1-5 Big East), which had lost its previous five games, probably spoiled any chance Connecticut (4-6, 1-4) had of playing in the postseason. The Huskies still have games against Cincinnati and No. 10 Louisville and need to win both for the required six victories.
Last year, the Huskies embarrassed Syracuse on national television on a rainy Friday night. Backup quarterback D.J. Hernandez rushed for 86 yards and a touchdown and the UConn defense forced three Syracuse turnovers in a 26-7 victory.
On this day, the Orange turned the tables, registering five sacks and three interceptions, two by safety Joe Fields, and squashing UConn's ground game.
Connecticut, which entered the game ranked ninth nationally in rushing offense with 206 yards per game, had 70 yards on 39 carries. And freshman Donald Brown, who had gained 199 yards against No. 7 Rutgers and 205 in a double-overtime win a week ago over Pitt, managed just 67 yards on 18 carries against the Orange. Hernandez, now the starter, was held to 23 yards rushing on 14 carries.
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