(Photo by Adrian J. Hernandez / New Day Review)
ATLANTA, Ga. – A little more than two weeks ago, UCF Knights running back Adrian Killins made a bold statement: “[Southeastern Conference] football, they don’t have a lot of speed, honestly. So, Auburn [University] hasn’t seen any speed like we have here, so I would say they’re in for a rude awakening…”
Adrian Killins (@ADRIANKILLINS9) has a lot of confidence in @UCF_Football‘s speed.#UCF #ChargeOn #AmericanPow6r #AmericanFB #AAC #PeachBowl #CFB pic.twitter.com/XA8vBsdLb1
— New Day Review (@NewDayReview) December 15, 2017
While Killins’ trash talk might have been slightly hyperbolic, it gave some insight into how No. 12 UCF will attack No. 7 Auburn in the 2018 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. With speedsters like Killins and true freshman Otis Anderson, speed could be a physical attribute UCF can match, as the Tigers’ size generally dwarfs the Knights’.
Quarterback McKenzie Milton reinforced Killins’ sentiment, though, showing confidence in his team’s speed and his playmakers.
“You know, maybe just hit ‘em with some quick screens. Get the ball to the perimeter as fast as we can,” Milton said at media availability on Dec. 29. “Try to utilize our speed. [Auburn has] some speed, too, but I think just get our playmakers the ball. You get Tre’Quan [Smith] in one-on-one matchups; you get Jordan Akins in one-on-one matchups. I mean, I don’t think any guys can guard those guys in the country, so, just get our guys in good situations.”
Milton’s perimeter-oriented strategy would help UCF stay away from what both Knights players and coaches have considered to be the Auburn defense’s biggest strength: its defensive line. Three of Auburn’s top-10 tacklers are D-linemen Derrick Brown (49), Dontavius Russell (41) and Marlon Davidson (40). Brown, Russell and Davidson are top five in tackles for loss and sacks for Auburn, too.
UCF will also play with a disadvantage, losing starting left tackle Aaron Evans to injury. In his stead, Jake Brown is expected to start on the edge, and either freshman Samuel Jackson or Tyler Hudanick will play left guard, Brown’s original position.
Despite the inconvenience and the already-uphill challenge, offensive coordinator Troy Walters didn’t show concern for his line that has kept Milton the sixth-most protected quarterback (12 sacks allowed) this season.
“Yeah, you know, it’s good that [Evans’ injury] happened when it did, and they’ve had two weeks to prepare, and, you know, it’s a big loss, but, you know, I think those guys have practiced well,” Walters said at media availability on Dec. 29. “And our whole motto all year is, ‘Next man up.’ So, injuries happen, and the next guy’s gotta be ready to step in, and all those guys have played.
“You know, Tyler’s played; Jake’s played. So, yeah, it’s another position, but we’re excited and confident those guys would get the job done. [Offensive-line coach Greg Austin] does a great job with the O-line, and we feel like they’ll be fine and keep rolling.”
It’s not just Auburn’s defensive line that is concerning, though. Milton said Auburn’s secondary is “probably the best” UCF will face in its so-far undefeated season. Statistically, the Tigers are exactly that. Auburn is ranked 15th in pass defense, allowing just 177.8 passing yards per game.
However, Milton and his receiving corps are among college football’s elite in deep pass plays. The Knights are top five in pass plays of 20-plus yards, 30-plus yards, 40-plus yards and 50-plus yards. That’s led by Milton’s 35 passing touchdowns and 316.3 passing yards per game, which are good enough for sixth-best and ninth-best in the nation, respectively.
“[Auburn’s] secondary’s really good, too,” Milton said. “They’re probably the best secondary we’ve played, but our guys have been getting open against every secondary. So, I think they’ll do the same this week.”
UCF and Auburn will meet in the Peach Bowl in Mercedes-Benz Stadium on New Year’s Day at 12:30 p.m. The game will be broadcast on ESPN.
For more on the Knights, as they prepare for Auburn and the Peach Bowl, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
