Chas Dodd looked like anything but a freshman, leading Rutgers to a pair of late scoring drive and a 27-24 victory over Connecticut in the Big East Conference opener for both teams.

Dodd threw a 52-yard touchdown pass to Mark Harrison with 4:02 to play to tie the game 24-24. The Scarlet Knights got the ball back and Dodd came through once again.

On first-and-10 from the Rutgers 38, Dodd lofted a perfect pass to Jeremy Deering for a 45-yard gain down to the UConn 17 with 1:24 to play. Three runs later, San San Te converted a 34-yard field goal to put the Scarlet Knights (3-2, 1-0 Big East) ahead 27-24 with 18 seconds to play.

The Huskies got off two last-gasp passes, the final one intercepted as time expired.

Dodd got the start with Rutgers starter Tom Savage out with a right hand injury he suffered in a loss to Tulane last week. He completed 18-of-29 passes for 322 yards and two touchdowns.

The Huskies (3-3, 0-1) scored the last 17 points of the first half and led 24-17 at the half. Connecticut was blanked in the second half and suffered yet another close loss to Rutgers.

The Scarlet Knights have now won five of the last six meeting with the Huskies and lead the series 21-9. Friday's game was the seventh time in the last nine meetings that the game was decided by seven points or less.

Jordan Todman rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries for Connecticut.