ORLANDO, Fla. (UCFKnights.com) - UCF (3-0, 1-0) thoroughly dominated Memphis (3-1, 0-1) in every facet of the game to the tune of a 40-13 victory on Saturday night at Spectrum Stadium. It was the American Athletic Conference opener for both squads.
The Knights ran wild over the Tigers with 350 rushing yards, led by Adrian Killins, Jr.'s career-high 115 on the ground. Quarterback McKenzie Milton ran for 88 yards and Taj McGowan added 63 yards and a rushing score. On the defensive side, the Black and Gold held the Tigers to 75 yards on the ground and forced four turnovers. Memphis reached UCF territory on seven drives, five of which ended in turnovers or on fourth-down stops.
Up 9-7 late in the first quarter and backed up to their own four-yard line, the Knights shifted the momentum when Killins, Jr. bounced a handoff outside all the way to the end zone, which set numerous records including the longest play from scrimmage in program history. The score opened the floodgates, as the Knights scored 36 unanswered points and rendering the highly rated Memphis offense inept. Milton was efficient in the pocket, throwing for 253 yards on 19-of-31 passing with three scoring tosses, leading the offense to its first 600-yard game since 2013.
UCF will look to continue its dominant form on the road next week at Cincinnati.
KEEPING IT ON THE GROUND
* Killins, Jr.'s run in the first quarter was the longest play and run from scrimmage in program history, the longest run in American Athletic Conference history, as well as the second longest play from scrimmage in the nation this season.
* The Knights had their first 300-yard rushing game since Sept. 9, 2011, against Charleston Southern.
* UCF averaged 7.1 yards per touch, led by Killins, Jr. at 12.8, followed by Milton at eight yards.
LET AK LOOSE
Longest run in @UCF_Football history ??
Longest run in @American_FB history ??
2nd-longest in NCAA this year ??
Adrian Killins = #SCtop10 pic.twitter.com/1gtrZSZOQF -- UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 1, 2017
Who's going to tell him he's not? ?? pic.twitter.com/kpxEQu49Vw -- UCF Football (@UCF_Football) October 1, 2017
"To be back and doing the things that I'm doing for my team to win games is a blessing. It's just nothing but great things. My o-line is working hard. Our team is working hard and we expect to be players like that in this offense. We can't go anywhere but up from here." - Adrian Killins, Jr.
DEFENSE HALTS HIGH-OCTANE OFFENSE
* Memphis came into Saturday averaging 480 yards of offense, 219 yards rushing and 43 points per game, but the Knights had other plans.
* Mike Hughes, Kyle Gibson and Seyvon Lowry picked off Memphis quarterback Riley Ferguson, who threw just a pair in the opening two games.
* With Memphis threatening to retake the lead in the red zone as the Knights had a 9-7 lead late in the first quarter, Shaquem Griffin recorded his first sack of the season, stripping Ferguson of the ball. Pat Jasinski fell on the loose ball, his first career fumble recovery.
KNIGHT NOTES
* Pat Jasinski finished with nine tackles to take his career total to 102.
* The defense recorded six pass breakups, besting the total of five through the first two games.
* The Knights now have a 10-1 record against Memphis and a 4-1 mark in American Athletic Conference openers.
KNIGHTS IN THE NEWS
Three things we learned from UCF's win over Memphis - Matt Murschel, Orlando Sentinel
Milton, Killins lead UCF to 40-13 win over Memphis - Associated Press
Memo to UCF fans after rout of Memphis: You're missing a great show - Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel
#FROSTBYTES
Head coach Scott Frost after the game.
On his team's performance:
"I love being these guys' coach. That was an unbelievable performance by our guys. They were hungry to play. We beat a really good team tonight and we out-played them. They prepared well; they were excited to play; they did their jobs. This team deserves whatever it gets because they've earned it."
On the offense:
"It helps when you get 96-or-something on one play right? There was a little crack for that kid to get through on that one. I call him Dash. Have you guys seen Dash from the Incredibles? That's kind of what AK is like. He hit hit the corner and he was gone. A lot of credit goes to our receiver blocking down field and our quarterback made good decisions. Our running back was hitting holes better than we did in game one. Our own line is getting better every week. When you can run the ball, everything else opens up. The long pass to Tre'Quan (Smith) was set up by some of the runs. We have to keep that going. Cincinnati's got a really good defense and a good defensive front too. We're going to have to be ready."
On Adrian Killins, Jr.'s 96-yard touchdown:
AK is the type of guy - he's a big play waiting to happen. It happened a bunch last year. He's not the biggest guy, if you haven't noticed, so we can't force feed him 40 carries a game. But, man, if he touches it 12 times, something good is going to happen. We're going to give it to him as much as we can and keep him healthy."
HEAR THE HIGHLIGHTS
RISE AND CONQUER
The second season of UCF Football under head coach Scott Frost is now 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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