UCF Football blows out Memphis in AAC opener

Photo courtesy of UCF Athletics Communications

In its first home game in a month, UCF used a huge first half to roll over Memphis by a score of 40-13.

The Knights (3-0, 1-0 AAC) took a 16-point lead into halftime, thanks to a momentum-swinging stretch in the second quarter. With UCF already leading 9-7, it was a 96-yard touchdown run by sophomore Adrian Killins that got the announced crowd of 34,022 hopping. The run was the longest from scrimmage in school history and the longest from scrimmage in conference history.

Memphis (3-1, 0-1 AAC) couldn’t recover from there. On the ensuing drive, junior Mike Hughes intercepted a pass on a tipped ball by redshirt freshman Richie Grant. Four plays later, sophomore McKenzie Milton connected with redshirt junior Tre’Quan Smith for a 34-yard touchdown to extend the Knights’ lead to 23-7.

The second half was more of the same for UCF. After a defensive stop to start the half, the Knights put together a 70-yard scoring drive that was capped off by a 19-yard touchdown pass from Milton to Killins. Milton finished the night 19 of 31 for 253 yards and three touchdowns while adding 88 yards on the ground. Killins totaled 179 yards and two touchdowns and Smith led the way at receiver with three catches for 71 yards and two scores.

The Knights defense forced four turnovers and held the Tigers to just two touchdowns.

UCF returns to action next Saturday on the road against Cincinnati. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.

About Bailey Adams 204 Articles
Bailey Adams is a senior writer covering UCF Football and Baseball for Knight Sports Now. You can follow him on Twitter at @BaileyJAdams22.