Quarterback McKenzie Milton and the UCF Knights shredded the University of Cincinnati Bearcats
defense and cruised to a 51-23 win. UCF got off to a hot start, and in
the first five minutes scored touchdowns on passes of 54 and 79 yards,
to Dredrick Snelson and Tre’Quan Smith, respectively. It took a total of five plays to take the 13-0 lead.[1]
And the Knights never looked back or much slowed down. The offense
operated virtually flawlessly, with the Knights scoring on each of their
eight possessions (seven touchdowns and a single field goal). UCF now
has the nation’s number one scoring offense.
It was only three quarters of football, as pouring rain
and thunderstorms scuttled the last quarter. In that context, the
statistics are even more impressive. UCF racked up 515 yards of total
offense, averaging 12.9 yards per play. Milton’s stat line was a
phenomenal 16-of-19 for 374 yards and five touchdowns, his best game
yet. Smith had a staggeringly good five receptions for 165 yards and
three touchdowns. He also ran off tackle for a touchdown. But perhaps
the most ‘feel-good’ touchdown was the 21 yard catch by redshirt senior
TE Michael Colubiale. Yes, the dude who tripped a few yards short of the
goal line against Maryland.
All wasn’t perfect for the Knights, however. UCF allowed Bearcats QB Hayden Moore
a pretty good night: 23-of-40 for 278 yards passing, 81 yards rushing
and three total touchdowns (two of them rushing). The defense was also
uncharacteristically porous on third down, allowing the Bearcats (a team
that usually struggles to convert those opportunities) to go 9 of 15.
And a trio of offsides penalties on consecutive plays late in the half
got the Bearcats in position for a successful field goal attempt.
The highlight on defense was undoubtedly Seyvon Lowry’s
interception. The big man now has interceptions in back-to-back games
(giving him a total three for his career). With two, Lowry – a defensive
end who’s not on top of the depth chart – is tied with cornerback Mike Hughes and safety Kyle Gibson for most picks so far this season.
Oh, and it looks like the UCF fans who made the trip had a nice time despite the rain.
In the wake of the game, UCF climbed up in both polls, reaching 21st in the Coaches and 22nd in the AP. The Knights play a very bad ECU team next weekend for homecoming.
[1] The Knights failed the two point conversion attempt after the second touchdown.
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