ORLANDO (UCFKnights.com) – Thursday night's career-best performance in the season-opener against FIU could have – and maybe should have – felt like validation for sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton.
The last 13 months have likely been a whirlwind for Milton. As an 18-year-old, he moved nearly 5,000 miles from Hawaii to Orlando. Less than two months into his freshman year, he took over the starting quarterback position for UCF. He was cheered. He was booed. He had some success. He struggled at times. Milton's team lost its last three games of 2016.
But Thursday night, he completed his first eight passes. He threw for 360 yards and four touchdowns, both career-best marks, after playing just a little more than two quarters. He led his team to a 61-17 victory over the Panthers. Surely, the way he played was his way of sending a message to anyone who doubted him or his offense.
Nope.
"I didn't feel like I had to prove anything," Milton said. "I just wanted to go out there and do my job. I don't think last year was hard. It was challenging at times. But I definitely feel that I've grown a bit and this team has grown a bit too."
Milton's head coach Scott Frost won a national championship as a quarterback at Nebraska. He understands the pressures that come with being a starting signal-caller.
"There were a lot of people questioning things with him," Frost said. "People are always critical of coaches and quarterbacks. I admire the kid for getting through what he got through last year. What you saw on the field today is what we've been seeing in practice for almost two years and it carried over to the field tonight."
His receivers certainly appreciated what Milton did on Thursday night.
Tre'Quan Smith: "Me and McKenzie (have) a very special connection, so it didn't surprise me, because I know what he's capable of."
Gabriel Davis: "He did great. I mean I know last year him being a freshman. That's a lot to take on being a quarterback at the college level and having to step up and be a leader and play. So I mean he's growing every single day and he did a great job tonight."
Milton and Frost were quick to credit others for some of the success, as well.
"McKenzie had a really good day, but a lot of guys on the team had a good day," Frost said. "I give a lot of credit to the O-line for protecting for him. He wasn't under much stress back there."
"I think we've got a stable of receivers," Milton added. "We've got a lot a lot of young guys that are getting their feet wet and they're making plays and it's awesome. We've got a lot of vets too, with Tre'Quan, Jordan Akins, Cam Stewart ... they're just leading by action and it's awesome."
While Milton and his teammates enjoyed a great deal of success Thursday night, they understand college football is often a 'what-have-you-done-for-me-lately' proposition. Milton and the Knights enjoyed the victory Thursday night and appreciated a day off Friday. But in the back of their minds, they know Thursday doesn't mean nearly as much if they don't focus in on next week's huge American Athletic Conference game with Memphis. The Tigers, who defeated Louisiana-Monroe 37-29 Thursday night, enter the contest as the favorites in the West Division of the league.
"I think we have the right to be confident," Milton said. "But you've got to take everything with a grain of salt. We can't get too high or too low. This is only one game. We've got to take it one game at a time. We've got Memphis next week and we know it's going to be a tough task."
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is underway. Fans can explore all of the new ticket options at Spectrum Stadium by visiting WeRiseandConquer.com or calling (407) 823-1000.
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