The UCF Knights crushed the FIU Panthers Thursday evening at Spectrum Stadium, 61-17. It was a career night for sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton as he went 16/21 for 360 yards and tossed 4 touchdowns, two of which landed in the hands of TreQuan Smith.
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Smith, a redshirt junior, scored on a 50-yard pass from Milton in the first quarter, then again on a 3-yard slant at the start of third quarter. Senior Jordan Akins started the scoring off with 23-yard touchdown pass from Milton.
Wide receiver Gabe Davis played an immediate role after earning the starting position during fall camp. The true freshman from nearby Sanford Seminole High School scored his first collegiate touchdown, a 10-yard pass from Milton over the middle of the end zone in the second quarter.
The Knights defense steamrolled over FIU, scoring a safety, forcing a fumble, an interception and holding the Panthers to just 2/12 on third downs. Meanwhile, on offense, UCF combined for 587 total yards on the night with touchdowns coming from sophomore back Jawon Hamilton, true freshmen Cordarrian Richardson and Greg McCrae, and running back Taj McGown.
The Knights face a much tougher task next weekend as American Athletic Conference foe Memphis comes to Orlando. The Tigers won their week one matchup 37-29 over the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks.