For the first time since 1988, the UCF Knights are 4-0 to start their regular season after beating the Cincinnati Bearcats (2-3, 1-1 AAC) 51-23 Saturday night on the road.
Led by sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton and his career highs in touchdowns thrown (five) and passing yards in a game (374), the No. 25 Knights collected another conference win to go to 2-0 in the AAC. Completing 16-19 passes, Milton managed to find redshirt junior Tre’Quan Smith five times.
Smith tallied 165-yards, netting three receiving touchdowns and one rushing touchdown. Sophomore wide receiver Dredrick Snelson caught three passes for 74-yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass.
The Knights also saw a total of 141 rushing yards against the Bearcats, led by sophomore running back Adrian Killins Jr. and freshman wide receiver Marlon Williams who each has 47 rushing yards.
Defensively, redshirt senior Seyvon Lowry led the way, intercepting a pass by Hayden Moore. The Knights allowed a total of 391-yards, 278 in the air. Junior inside linebacker Pat Jasinski managed to record a sack while recording eight total tackles. Redshirt senior linebacker Shaquem Griffin produced six total tackles, tied for the second highest on the team with redshirt freshman Brandon Moore.
The Knights will come home to host East Carolina (1-5, 1-1 AAC) Saturday at 7 p.m.