Milton, No. 22 UCF roll past East Carolina, 63-21
ORLANDO, Fla. -- McKenzie Milton threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, and No. 22 UCF also got touchdowns on defense and special teams in a 63-21 rout of East Carolina on Saturday night.
UCF moved to 5-0 for the first time in the program's Division I era and remained tied with 18th-ranked South Florida for the American Athletic Conference East lead at 3-0. The Pirates (1-6, 1-3) have lost three straight.
"Our team is playing together and caring about each other, and that's so great to see," second-year UCF coach Scott Frost said. "When somebody else scores, everybody is happy for them, and that doesn't exist on every team."
Milton and Knights came in with the highest scoring offense in the nation (47.5 points per game) and dominated the worst scoring defense (47.8 points) in FBS this season. UCF totaled 600 yards of offense, exceeding 500 yards for the third straight game, its longest such streak since 1998.
"I think it's a combination of a lot of things," Milton said. "The coaches are putting us in awesome opportunities to succeed, the O-line is doing a great job in protection in the run and pass plays and the skill players are making plays."
The Knights didn't score on every possession like they did last week against Cincinnati, but the defense and special teams chipped in. Safety Tre Neal returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter, and Michael Hughes had a 66-yard punt return for a TD that put the Knights ahead 49-14 in the third quarter.
Milton, who was inconsistent as a freshman last year but has made a big leap this season, completed 21 of 27 passes for 324 yards. He hit Jordan Atkins for a 48-yard touchdown and Jamiyus Pittman for a 4-yard score. Milton also scored on a 1-yard run. Adrian Killins, Taj McGowan, Greg McCrae and backup quarterback Noah Vedral also had rushing touchdowns.
East Carolina quarterback Thomas Sirk led two impressive scoring drives in the first half, but he struggled in the third quarter and was replaced by Gardner Minshew. Sirk went 9-of-21 for 91 yards, two touchdowns and an interception.
"A lot of talent, a great coaching staff (and) a combination of all that makes you probably a top-15 team," ECU coach Scottie Montgomery said.
THE TAKEAWAY
East Carolina: The Pirates have some playmakers, but not enough to have sustained success against quality teams. Wide receiver Davon Grayson gave the Knights secondary problems, finishing with six catches for 96 yards and a touchdown. Running back Darius Pinnix had the best run from scrimmage, a tackle-breaking 57-yard scamper in the first quarter.
UCF: The Knights looked strong in all phases Saturday, but they need to be more disciplined against Navy next week. The defense gave up some big plays, and the offense lost a fumble near the goal line in the second half.
UP NEXT
East Carolina: The Pirates take a break from American Athletic Conference play to host BYU next Saturday night.
UCF: The Knights travel to take on No. 25 Navy next Saturday.
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Game Information
2023 American Athletic Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| SMU | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| Tulane | 8-0 | 11-3 |
| UTSA | 7-1 | 9-4 |
| Memphis | 6-2 | 10-3 |
| South Florida | 4-4 | 7-6 |
| Rice | 4-4 | 6-7 |
| Navy | 4-4 | 5-7 |
| North Texas | 3-5 | 5-7 |
| UAB | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Florida Atlantic | 3-5 | 4-8 |
| Charlotte | 2-6 | 3-9 |
| Tulsa | 2-6 | 4-8 |
| Temple | 1-7 | 3-9 |
| East Carolina | 1-7 | 2-10 |
2023 Big 12 Conference Standings
| Team | CONF | OVR |
|---|---|---|
| Texas | 8-1 | 12-2 |
| Oklahoma State | 7-2 | 10-4 |
| Oklahoma | 7-2 | 10-3 |
| Iowa State | 6-3 | 7-6 |
| Kansas State | 6-3 | 9-4 |
| West Virginia | 6-3 | 9-4 |
| Texas Tech | 5-4 | 7-6 |
| Kansas | 5-4 | 9-4 |
| UCF | 3-6 | 6-7 |
| TCU | 3-6 | 5-7 |
| Houston | 2-7 | 4-8 |
| BYU | 2-7 | 5-7 |
| Baylor | 2-7 | 3-9 |
| Cincinnati | 1-8 | 3-9 |
NCAAF News