Mauling Memphis
Knights Run Over Tigers with 603 yards of offense.
ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) – UCF (3-0, 1-0) thoroughly dominated Memphis (3-1, 0-1) in every facet of the game to the tune of a 40-13 victory on Saturday night at Spectrum Stadium. It was the American Athletic Conference opener for both squads.
The Knights ran wild over the Tigers with 350 rushing yards, led by Adrian Killins, Jr.‘s career-high 115 on the ground. Quarterback McKenzie Milton ran for 88 yards and Taj McGowan added 63 yards and a rushing score. On the defensive side, the Black and Gold held the Tigers to 75 yards on the ground and forced four turnovers. Memphis reached UCF territory on seven drives, five of which ended in turnovers or on fourth-down stops.
Up 9-7 late in the first quarter and backed up to their own four-yard line, the Knights shifted the momentum when Killins, Jr. bounced a handoff outside all the way to the end zone, which set numerous records including the longest play from scrimmage in program history. The score opened the floodgates, as the Knights scored 36 unanswered points and rendering the highly rated Memphis offense inept. Milton was efficient in the pocket, throwing for 253 yards on 19-of-31 passing with three scoring tosses, leading the offense to its first 600-yard game since 2013.
UCF will look to continue its dominant form on the road next week at Cincinnati.
KEEPING IT ON THE GROUND
• Killins, Jr.’s run in the first quarter was the longest play and run from scrimmage in program history, the longest run in American Athletic Conference history, as well as the second longest play from scrimmage in the nation this season.
• The Knights had their first 300-yard rushing game since Sept. 9, 2011, against Charleston Southern.
• UCF averaged 7.1 yards per touch, led by Killins, Jr. at 12.8, followed by Milton at eight yards.
DEFENSE HALTS HIGH-OCTANE OFFENSE
• Memphis came into Saturday averaging 480 yards of offense, 219 yards rushing and 43 points per game, but the Knights had other plans.
• Mike Hughes, Kyle Gibson and Seyvon Lowry picked off Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson, who threw just a pair in the opening two games.
• Shaquem Griffin recorded his first sack of the season, forcing a fumble late in the first quarter.
KNIGHT NOTES
• Pat Jasinski finished with nine tackles to take his career total to 102.
• The defense recorded six pass breakups, besting the total of five through the first two games.
• The Knights now have a 10-1 record against Memphis and a 4-1 mark in American Athletic Conference openers.