The UCF Knights showed no hangover from last year’s undefeated season and the offseason change from Scott Frost to Heupel in a convincing win against the Huskies. Yes, UConn is no Alabama, but the UCF Offense and defense showed no worse for wear following the departure of Head Coach Scott Frost.
McKenzie Milton threw for 346 yards and tied a career high with five touchdowns as the self-proclaimed defending national champions routed UConn 56-17 on Thursday night to extend the longest winning streak in the nation to 14 games.
Milton completed 24 of 32 passes and ran for another 50 yards on seven carries. Sophomore receiver Tre Nixon, a transfer from Mississippi, caught five passes for 101 yards and scored on plays of 34 and 11 yards.
It was the first game for coach Josh Heupel, who took the reins after Frost left for Nebraska.
“I don’t know if we’re going to miss a beat,” Milton said. “The schematics are a little different, but we’re going to score a lot of points no matter what.”
UConn quarterback David Pindell was a bright spot for the Huskies, throwing for 266 yards and a touchdown and running for another 157 yards and a score. But the Huskies had 30 freshmen and sophomores on their two-deep, and more than a dozen players saw their first live-game action on Thursday night.
“I thought we had some young men who played a bit tentative for their first time and just didn’t let it go,” coach Randy Edsall said. “Now they understand how hard it is”
Heupel continued the Knight’s fast paced offense putting up 652 yards and scoring eight touchdowns on 11 drives, with each scoring drive taking less than 3 minutes off the clock.
“I’m a big fan of coach Huep’s system,” Milton said. “I think it exposes defenses and I think it’s going to be very good for UCF.”
The Knights head back to Orlando for their home opener next Saturday against South Carolina State.
