Knights’ offense doesn’t miss a beat
EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — It was just like old times for
The UCF quarterback was once again wrapping up a stellar performance on the football field, throwing five touchdown passes while directing the Knights to a 56-17 win over UConn Thursday night at Rentschler Field on a national telecast.
“I certainly don’t think we missed a beat,” Milton said of the Knights, who amassed more than 650 yards during the blowout win. “The schematics are a little different, but you know we’re going to score a lot of points no matter what. “I’m a big fan of Coach
system. I think it exposes defenses and it’s going to be very good for UCF.”
Heupel was pleased with Milton’s overall performance.
“He was really accurate with his deep balls all night long, even the throws that were incomplete,” said Heupel, who earned his first career win as a head coach Thursday night. “I felt like he threw the way I want him to throw it and I’m pleased with the progress that he’s continuing to make.
“He’s an accurate passer, a really good decisionmaker and we’re going to continue to use him.”
The results support Milton’s assessment of the team’s strengths on offense.
During the three seasons prior to last year, UCF COMMENTARY scored at least 50 points just twice (2014, 2016). Last year the Knights scored at least 50 points five times, including a season-high 73 points against Austin Peay.
The 56 points the team scored Thursday was the second-highest point total during the six-game series with UConn.
“I think in any year, it’s important to get off on the right foot with a win,” Milton said. “We talked about going 1-0 each week and I don’t know about necessarily making a statement, but we’re a good football team. We’ve got a lot of good players and you know I think under coach Heupel’s direction or whoever is coaching us, UCF can be special for a long time.”
Ole Miss transfer receiver was pleased with his first game as a Knight.
“I mean it feels amazing to come in the first game and to see that you click on all cylinders, it’s a great feeling, a really good feeling,” said Nixon, a redshirt sophomore who led the team with 101 receiving yards and was the beneficiary of two of Milton’s five touchdown passes.
“When I made that transition from Ole Miss to UCF, I just want to bring my skillset to a team that could utilize it really good and I just know that with what Heupel did at Missouri, he loves to go fast and now and I just love everything about that.”
Nixon was one of three UCF receivers with at least five catches, including
(six catches, 90 yards) and
(six catches, 40 yards and a touchdown). All three players were favorites of Milton, who targeted them a combined 24 times during the game.
“He makes it easy for me,” said Nixon, who averaged nearly 20.2 yards per catch. “He does an amazing job of extending plays. That’s what you love as a receiver.”
Milton raved about what Nixon brings to the Knights.
“I’m happy we got that guy on our team,” Milton said with a chuckle. “You know, not just as a football player, but as a person. He’s a light in the locker room. He’s got a great smile and he lifts up my day.”
For Heupel, the win was exactly what he was looking for to kick off the 2018 season.
“At the end of the day, we wanted to go 1-0 and we did that,” he said. “I’m proud of the way our kids competed; proud of the way they came out and played. I love the energy from them, they like playing football and if you have a group like that you have a chance.”