Coach Paul Pasqualoni got revenge over his former team, leading Connecticut to a 28-21 home win over Syracuse on Saturday.

Pasqualoni got two fourth quarter rushing touchdowns from freshman quarterback Scott McCummings, whose 7-yard plunge with 4:51 remaining gave Connecticut (4-5, 2-2 Big East) its first lead since the opening quarter. The Huskies overcame five first-half turnovers, and with two home games remaining are still alive for bowl eligibility.

Syracuse (5-4, 1-3 Big East), meanwhile, is still searching for its sixth win to send it to back-to-back bowl games for the first time since Pasqualoni coached the Orange, who was fired in 2004 after 14 years as coach. Syracuse has dropped two straight road games since a win over West Virginia.

Ryan Nassib led Syracuse on back-to-back scoring drives to give the Orange a 21-14 lead late in the third quarter. The Huskies quickly answered to tie and then picked off Nassib at midfield to set up the go-ahead score.

Huskies quarterback Johnny McEntee, who started the game, threw for only 113 yards against the Big East’s worst passing defense but was bailed out by 152 yards rushing from Lyle McCombs. McCombs also scored a touchdown to help the Huskies to their fifth straight win over the Orange.