UCF junior quarterback McKenzie Milton threw a touchdown pass on the second play of the fourth quarter and then took a seat.
The 2016 Mililani alumnus kicked off his third season with the Knights — and first under new head coach Josh Heupel — looking exactly like he did when he ended last year’s perfect season with a Peach Bowl win over Auburn.
Milton threw for 346 yards and tied a career-high with five touchdown passes, and also rushed for 50 yards on seven carries to lead the Knights to a 56-17 road win over Connecticut on Thursday night.
“(Milton) was really accurate with his deep balls all night long,” Heupel told reporters after the game. “All his throws that were incomplete, it felt like he threw them the way I wanted him to throw them. I’m pleased with the progress he’s been able to make. He’s a great passer and decision maker.”
The eighth-place finisher in the Heisman Trophy race a year ago, Milton completed an efficient 75 percent (24-for-32) of his throws without an interception and led the Knights to touchdowns on seven of his eight drives.
“It was a lot of fun to go out and play another game and the first one since January 1st,” Milton said. “I felt the offseason went by kind of fast, but that’s what happens when you’re having fun. We have a great group of guys. It shows the work we put in this offseason.”
UCF returns 17 starters from last season’s undefeated team and is ranked No. 21 in the AP poll. Its 14-game winning streak is the longest active streak in FBS.
Credit: UCFKnights.com for the quotes.
Great Game. Represented his family, school, coaches, team, and state well! Job well done!
17 starters back from an undefeated team that beat Auburn and they open the season ranked #21. While Auburn returns only 13 and are ranked in the top 10. Amazing how the ole boy network continues to operate. Very sad.