Knights Thrash Bearcats in Shortened Game 51-23

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(CINCINNATI, OH) – Mother Nature opened its clouds and storms came raging down on Nippert Stadium Saturday night and called a halt to the game between the #25 UCF Knights and the Cincinnati Bearcats.

But this game was over long before that thanks to Sophomore signal caller McKenzie Milton.

Milton shredded the Cincinnati defense for 374 yards and a career-high five touchdowns to lead UCF to a 51-23 drowning of the Bearcats in primetime.

Tre-Quan Smith lent a hand with five receptions, 165 yards and three touchdowns and the Knights sported a balanced ground attack.

Inside Lineback Pat Jasinski recorded eight tackles and a sack while Shaquem Griffin and Brandon Moore each had six tackles.

Wide receiver Drederick Snelson got the scoring started 1:21 into the game hauling in a 54-yard touchdown pass from Milton to cap off a four-play, 73-yard drive.

Tre’Quan Smith got in on the fun by reeling in a 79-yard touchdown pass to make the score 13-0 before the Bearcats got on the board as Hayden Moore capped a 12-play drive with a 2-yard run to bring the score to 13-7.

UCF struck again as Taj MacGowan crashed in from a yard out making the score 20-7 as the first quarter closed but the rout was just beginning. In the second quarter Michael Colubiale caught a 21-yard touchdown pass, Tre’Quan Smith caught a 44-yard touchdown pass and Matthew Wright chipped in a FG. The Bearcats had no answer and no resistance as the Knights held a 37-16 halftime edge.

It was a game that saw the Knights play as a top 25 team and they did not disappoint. UCF rolled to 515 yards of offense with Milton accounting for 374 through the air. The Knights raised their record to 4-0 on the season and 2-0 in the American Conference East Division while the Bearcats fell to 2-4 and 0-2.

The Knights next host East Carolina University next Saturday night.