The UCF Knights Crush FIU in Tune-Up Game, 61-17

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The scorching heat of Spectrum Stadium was the ideal setting in a Sunshine State showdown as the University of Central Florida Knights hosted the Florida International University Golden Panthers. UCF head coach, Scott Frost, said that he was totally guessing when it came to the strategy of his former NFL coach and first-year FIU head coach, Butch Davis. Apparently, he guessed right as the Knights went to work in a 61-17 smack down for their second straight victory in a home opener.

Frost’s squad showed us the meaning of #UCFast as they turned their first series from a third and nine into a six-play scoring drive that culminated in a 22-yard touchdown delivery by incumbent sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton to senior tight end Jordan Akins. The drive took 2:17 off the clock while opening with two running plays that were smashed behind the line. Senior tight end, Jordan Franks capped the effort with his only catch of the game recording a two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead.

After a three and out by the Panthers, the Knights were once again moving the ball into FIU’s red zone. With a score seeming eminent, sophomore running back Jawon Hamilton fumbled the ball that was recovered by Panther defensive end Newton Salisbury. Two snaps of the pigskin later, Florida International quarterback Alex McGough fired a 75-yard strike to wide receiver Thomas Owens to close the gap to post an 8-7 count with 9:30 remaining in the 1st quarter.

Two minutes later, UCF extended the lead with a huge bomb of their own hitting Tre’ Quan Smith for a 50-yard missile and 14-7 score after a missed PAT. Smith finished the night with three catches and 72 yards and two touchdowns. This five-play drive was even faster than the opening series lasting 2:02 and would still be the third longest drive of the five touchdown drives in the opening half.

Following FIU’s final points of the 1st half, a 39-yard FG from kicker Josh Borregales, UCF would chalk up a TD pass to Gabriel Davis who finished with four catches for 53 yards and a touchdown. The Knights then tacked on two rushing touchdowns by running backs Hamilton and junior Taj McGowan. Hamilton was the top rusher on the night posting 57 yards on 12 carries and a TD. Despite posting 148 rushing yards on the night, when Coach Frost was asked post game whether he was happy with the running attack, he simply smiled and answered, “No”.

A Matthew Wright field goal and a safety on a combined tackle by Trysten Hill and Pat Jasinski closed the half with a 40-10 score.

A short three-yard flip to Smith opened the second half and set an in-game best for Milton in his career marking a fourth touchdown pass on the night. He had 360 yards passing, four touchdowns, and an interception by the time he left the game. Noah Vedral took over the UCF’s offense with the score at 47-10 in the third quarter.

Before the fourth quarter started both teams recorded rushing TDs. Central Florida’s Cordarrian Richardson carried in a 10-yarder and FIU’s Napoleon Maxwell rocketed 51 yards to post a score of 54-17. The 2017 debut of year two of #UCFast concluded with a Greg McCrae run for six yards to get six points.

In the 61-17 domination, Central Florida’s defense only allowed 201 yards and recovered three fumbles and an interception.

Frost summarized his impression of the team’s performance after the game.

“It was a good start. I’ve seen our team improve in camp and in the offseason. It carried over to the field which is great to see.”