No. 8 UCF remains unbeaten, but loses QB Milton in 38-10 win

TAMPA, Fla. -- McKenzie Milton's teammates crowded around the injured UCF quarterback, some kneeling in prayer and others offering comforting words.

"Our guys care deeply about everybody on our football team, and certainly McKenzie," coach Josh Heupel said after the eighth-ranked Knights rebounded from losing their leader to an apparent right knee injury to finish a 38-10 rout of intrastate rival South Florida on Friday.

"You could tell by their reaction, wanting to be over near him, by him, to support him. ... In that moment, it's hard," Heupel added. "I'm proud of our kids -- just the resiliency to come back from something like that that happened and continue to play football. ... I'm proud of the way they finished the game."

Central Florida (11-0, 8-0, No. 9 CFP) extended the nation's longest winning streak to 24 and completed a second consecutive undefeated regular season.

Heupel would not confirm the nature or severity of Milton's injury. Still, it seems unlikely the junior from Kapolei, Hawaii, will play again anytime soon.

"Obviously, a traumatic injury. All of our thoughts and prayers are with him," Heupel said. "I'm not going to discuss anything right now until medically I get more information."

Milton, eighth in Heisman Trophy balloting a year ago, hurt his knee when he was tackled at the end of a 5-yard run in the second quarter. Darriel Mack Jr. replaced him and probably will make his second start of the year when UCF faces Memphis next week in the American Athletic Conference title game.

"We'll be ready to go play," Heupel said. "This is a team game. Again, everybody inside that locker room is thinking about McKenzie at this time. At the same time, we'll push forward and be ready to play next week."

Players from both schools, which are located about 100 miles apart via Interstate 4, kneeled on one knee while a cart was rolled onto the field and Milton received medical attention in front of the South Florida bench. The entire UCF squad left their sideline at one point to form a crowded circle around Milton, who was placed on the cart and taken to the locker room and later a nearby hospital.

Heupel said he didn't have a clear view of the play from the sideline.

"My immediate concern was one, his well-being. And two, his mental state as well," the coach said. "I told him I love him."

Before leaving, Milton completed 5 of 10 passes for 86 yards, including a 14-yard scoring throw to Gabriel Davis for a 7-0 lead. The Knights kicked a field goal on the first play after the quarterback departed to make it 10-0.

"You hate to see that happen to Milton because he's such a competitor," South Florida coach Charlie Strong said. "Our thoughts and prayers are with him. I just hope he's able to make it back."

Mack got plenty of help from a talented supporting cast that includes Greg McCrae to make sure UCF finished the job. South Florida (7-5, 3-5) finished the regular season on a five-game losing streak, its longest skid since 2013.

McCrae scored on runs of 40, 39 and 31 yards, with the second of the three TDs re-establishing a 14-point after South Florida briefly pulled to 17-10 on Johnny Ford's 34-yard catch-and-run for the Bulls' only touchdown.

McCrae finished with 181 yards rushing on 16 carries for the Knights, who have scored at least 30 points in 24 consecutive games -- matching South Florida (2015-17) for the longest such streak since 1939.

Ford rushed for 120 yards on 16 attempts for South Florida, which played without injured quarterback Blake Barnett (shoulder/ankle).

THE TAKEAWAY

UCF: The Knights lost Milton, but were still good enough to take care of their intrastate rival. Mack also led the team to a 37-10 road victory over East Carolina while Milton was sidelined with an undisclosed injury on Oct. 20.

South Florida: After a 7-0 start, the Bulls faded quickly down the stretch. The defense is partly responsible, allowing 57, 41, 35, 27 and 38 points in losses to Houston, Tulane, Cincinnati, Temple and UCF, but the offense had difficulty sustaining drives and getting in the end zone.

I-4 RIVALRY

UCF has won two straight in the series South Florida leads 6-4. Since 2016, the rivalry has been dubbed the "War on I-4" and the winner is presented with a traveling trophy that's 4-foot, 3 inches in height and weighs 160 pounds.

POLL IMPLICATIONS

The Knights climbed three spots in the AP poll after dominating Cincinnati on national television and have done everything they can to remain in the top 10 for at least another week by beating South Florida. UCF is No. 9 in the latest CFP rankings, the highest spot ever occupied by an AAC team.

UP NEXT

UCF: Hosts AAC championship game against Memphis next Saturday.

South Florida: Despite five-game skid, Bulls are bowl eligible and await a fourth consecutive berth

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