ORLANDO, Fla. – Despite Heisman Trophy hopeful McKenzie Milton’s three first-half interceptions, tahe UCF Knights (2-0, 1-0 in American Athletic Conference) handled their underdog opponents in the first home game of 2018.
The Knights beat South Carolina State University 38-0 in front of the second-largest home-opening crowd of 43,269 fans Saturday night. When both teams last met in UCF 2016 home-opener, the Knights also won 38-0.
“Offensively, liked a lot of the things we did. Just stubbed our toe a bunch,” Knights Head Coach Josh Heupel said after his first-ever home-opener at the helm. “Obviously, we can’t have the turnovers. Gotta find a way to get McKenzie better rhythm early.
“But, at the end of the day, it’s a dub, and we’ll take it.”
Milton struggled from his team’s first drive. UCF’s initial drive was stopped after Milton threw his second interception of the drive — the first came on the second play of the game but was overturned after review.
Despite the passing struggles, which culminated in three first-half picks, UCF managed to score 24 points in the first half. The Knights’ running-back corp led the way, as junior Adrian Killins rushed for 89 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries.
Killins got the scoring started early on UCF’s second drive of the game. After Milton connected with wide receiver Tre Nixon for a 38-yard gain down the right sideline, Killins punched in a 3-yard run.
After UCF blocked a field goal and safety Kyle Gibson returned the ball to the South Carolina State 26-yard line, Killins used only two plays to eventually score on a 24-yard scamper to the outside.
“The running game, it showed that we have a lot of playmakers in the back. A lot of good running backs that can do a lot in this offense, and it all starts up front with the O-line,” Killins said after the game. “… Every time we go out on a series, the O-line, they like to get one-and-out drives so we can just get in and get out.”
In total, the Knights rushed for 316 yards and four touchdowns on 47 attempts. Sophomores Greg McCrae and Otis Anderson scored a touchdown each, as McCrae ran for 62 yards and and the longest rush of the game: a 32-yarder.
UCF’s defense shined against the Bulldogs, too. In total, the Knights snagged three interceptions and held South Carolina State to 257 yards and 3.6 yards per play. Most of the Bulldogs’ production came from the ground, as they ran 52 times for 177 yards.
Gibson, sophomore Antwan Collier and redshirt sophomore Richie Grant recorded the interceptions.
“It’s kind of like positive energy around your teammates,” Gibson said after the game. “You wanna make a play…so everybody’s hungry to try to make a play at practice. It just turns over into the game.”
After a field goal by redshirt senior Matthew Wright and Anderson’s touchdown, Milton found the end zone for his first and only touchdown of the game. Apart from a 2-yard rush by Killins and an incomplete pass to Nixon, Milton and sophomore Gabriel Davis operated a two-man game in the Knights’ fifth scoring drive.
The first play of the drive was an incomplete pass to Davis, but after the Killins and Nixon plays, Milton connected with Davis on a deep hitch that went for 19 yards. On the very next play, Davis ran a fade route to the back-left corner where Milton placed the ball in only a spot Davis could reach it.
Davis recorded his first-ever 100-yard game, recording 111 yards on nine receptions.
“You know, just happy I had a good game,” Davis said after the win. “I feel like I could’ve done some better things on offense, though. You know, we started off real slow.”
UCF’s final touchdown was McCrae’s 32-yard run with less than six minutes to play in the third quarter.
Who’s Next?
The Knights will play their next game on the road when they travel to face the North Carolina Tar Heels on Sept. 15 at noon.
For more on the Knights, as they travel for the second time this season, follow Victor Tan on Twitter at @NDR_VictorTan.
To contact Victor, you can email him at vtan@newdayreview.com, or you can tweet at him.
