(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
Sept. 19, 2017 at Wayne Densch Center
Availability: QB McKenzie Milton
- Since winning 61-17 over the FIU Panthers in Week 1, the University of Central Florida has missed two weeks’ worth of games because of Hurricane Irma.
- The Knights resumed practice on Sept. 14.
QB MCKENZIE MILTON: “Yeah, it’s been good. I think, last week, we knocked off a little bit of rust, and, this week, we’ve been having a good attention to detail, game-planning for Maryland.”
- Milton’s first start for UCF was in a 30-24, double-overtime loss to the University of Maryland last season.
- In that game, he scored three touchdowns but also fumbled six times, losing three, and had an interception.
- UCF will have a chance to exact its revenge on Saturday at 3 p.m. when the Knights travel north to face the Terrapins for its first road game of the season, the second game of 2017.
QB MCKENZIE MILTON: “That’s actually funny. [Quarterbacks coach Mario Verduzco] played like a whole highlight reel of bad plays from last year’s game, so watched a little bit of it. Obviously, we left a lot of plays out there on the field. So, like, we probably could’ve won that game last year, but it’s a new year. They’re a better team, and we’re a better team, so it’s a new challenge.”
“Yeah, I mean, definitely [saw plays I wouldn’t make now]. It was just a lot of stuff to do with, like, my mechanics, like your feet, your eyes not being in the right spot and just all that kind of stuff, like, just little stuff.”
“You can’t ever erase a loss, but, yeah, I mean, it was last year, so not really too worried about that. Just gotta take it one game at a time. So, not really dwelling on last year. Not looking at it as like payback. Just wanna be 1-0 at the end of this week.”
“Yeah, I mean, definitely [see the Maryland game as a chance to prove how much we’ve improved]. Any time you can play a Power Five team, that’s always a good challenge for us. They’re a Big Ten opponent, and we look forward to that. So, it’s gonna be a lot of fun.”
- So far this season, Maryland’s defense is tied with Marshall University for 71st in yards allowed per game (391 yards per game).
- Maryland defensive back J.C. Jackson has recorded an interception in two games this season after recording one all of last season.
QB MCKENZIE MILTON: “I think their team speed’s a little better. I think they fly around to the ball a little better. I think they cover a little better as well. I mean, obviously they beat a pretty good Texas team. So, they’re a good team. They’re good on offense as well.”
“Their inside linebacker, No. 1, is pretty good. Their safety, No. 4, he flies around pretty well, too. And their corners are good as well. I mean, they’re, all-around, [a] pretty good defense. So, like I said, they’re a Big Ten team. I mean, they’re big, they’re fast, they’re physical, but we just gotta make plays.”
“Yeah, [Jackson’s] a very good player. He’s a—flies around to the ball. He hits it downhill from the safety on run plays, and he’s just a ball player. He’s a ball hawk. So, gotta be aware of him.”
- Former Knights quarterback Pete DiNovo transferred north to play for the Illinois Fighting Illini, according to a report by the Tampa Bay Times’ Bob Putnam.
QB MCKENZIE MILTON: “Yeah, I tried giving him a call to wish him luck and stuff like that. Left him a message. Hopefully he’ll get back to me. That’s my boy. I mean, I wish him the best in his endeavors.”
- Sophomore starting quarterback Tyrell Pigrome is out with a season-ending injury, thrusting true freshman Kasim Hill into the starting role.
- Hill has thrown for 207 yards and two touchdowns on 16-for-19 passing in two appearances this season.
QB MCKENZIE MILTON: “I don’t know. I ‘m sure he’s excited to play. You know, I’m sure he’s not over-thinking it. I’m sure he’s excited. I think he’s a pretty big kid. He’s got a good arm, so I think he’s excited to play probably.”
For more on Milton and his second stint against Maryland, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
