DeGennaro was a four-year starter and letterman for the Connecticut Huskies from 1987 to 1990.[3][2] He completed 193 passes for 2,206 yards and 18 touchdowns as a freshman in 1987 as the Huskies finished with a 7–4 record.[2] His completion and passing yard totals set single season school records.[2] He earned Yankee Conference Rookie of the Year honors.[2] DeGennaro completed 238 of 387 passes for 2,633 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions in 1988 as the Huskies had a 7–4 record for the second consecutive season.[2] He broke his single season completion and passing yard records from 1987 and was named the Yankee Conference Offensive Player of the Year.[2] He also garnered honorable mention All-American honors in 1988.[2] In 1989, DeGennaro totaled 212 completions on 356 passing attempts for 2,472 yards, 17 touchdowns and 15 interceptions as the Huskies finished 8–3, good for a share of the conference title.[2] He recorded 160 completions on 257 attempts for 1,977 yards, 21 touchdowns, and eight interceptions his senior year in 1990 as the team went 6–5.[2] He also missed four games his senior year due to a separated shoulder.[2]