ORLANDO – As one of the nation’s Top 25 teams, UCF knows what’s at stake each week it plays on the field.
The Golden Knights don’t take any opponent lightly, even if it’s against a team like Austin Peay. Their 73-33 home win over the Governors will show why it’s never a good idea to overlook the opposition.
UCF, 7-0 for the first time in school history, had a record-setting offensive performance as a team. It was the most points this upstart program has scored in its history.
A big part of that scoring explosion came from quarterback McKenzie Milton, who threw for 275 yards in the air and accounted for four total touchdowns (three passing, one rushing). As an offense, UCF scored eight times against Austin Peay (5-3).
“It was an awesome effort collectively to get all those points up on the scoreboard,” Milton told media members after the game. “We didn’t play our best or play to our standards, but we got a win.”
Milton was uber-efficient in this game, as he completed 24 of 26 passes in the 40-point win over Austin Peay. His leading receiver was Dredrick Snelson, who finished the game with five catches for 90 yards and two touchdowns.
Delray Beach (Fla.) native and redshirt junior wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith caught five passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. In seven games this season, the Village Academy 2014 alum has 26 catches for 500 yards and nine touchdowns.
Although the offensive production for UCF was largely on point, head coach Scott Frost didn’t particularly like the overall result from his team. He pointed out the 33 points allowed on defense as an example.
“I don’t think we played our best game,” Frost told reporters. “You can’t cheat the game of football. Either you’re playing you’re hardest or you’re not. Either you’re prepared or you’re not. We didn’t tackle very well and we made a lot of mistakes. But anytime you can play less than your best and still get a win, that’s an accomplishment.”
Other UCF highlights included a 91-yard kickoff return for a score by Mike Hughes and Shaquem Griffin’s fumble recovery that resulted in a 20-hard touchdown.
For Austin Peay, the team’s best performer on this day was wide receiver Kyran Moore, who had 346 all-purpose yards (two touchdowns; 91-yard kickoff return, 35-yard end-zone reception). Quarterback Jeremiah Oatsvall completed 12 of 18 passes for 209 yards, two touchdowns, and an interception for the Governors.
“That game was more competitive than 40 points,” Austin Peay head coach Will Healy said to media members. “But the reason the final score was what it was, is because UCF is that good. We competed with them for three quarters, but we probably shot ourselves in the foot a couple of times too many and let it get away.”
UCF went into this game ranked No. 18 in the Associated Press national poll. With Houston’s 28-24 win last night over No. 17 USF (7–1), the Golden Knights are firmly in the driver’s seat for a coveted New Year’s Six Bowl bid.
UCF will probably need to finish the regular season undefeated to secure a New Year’s Six spot. Its final four games are at SMU (Nov. 4), home vs. UConn (Nov. 11), at Temple (Nov. 18), and on Senior Night vs. USF (Nov. 24).
