Wide receiver Tre Nixon,
who transferred to UCF from Ole Miss, appreciates the ability of quarterback McKenzie Milton to scramble and extend plays.
There is one thing Tre Nixon learned right away when stepped onto the UCF practice field after transferring from Ole Miss.
He quickly figured out that with McKenzie Milton at quarterback, you never give up on a pass route. Milton likes to scramble, and he’ll keep plays alive well beyond a three- or four-second pass route. So when No. 10 gets chased out of the pocket, Knights receivers know it’s about to be showtime.
“He is a special dude,” Nixon said of Milton. “When I came here and ran routes the very first day, I could just tell how special he is. He’s one quarterback that can really extend plays. That’s what makes him so special.
“Even when you think he’s set and you think the play’s about to be dead, he rolls out and the play’s back alive. That’s one thing about him that makes him so elite.”
Nixon saw that very early in his first UCF game. During the Knights’ second drive of last week’s season-opening 56-17 victory over UConn, Milton got chased from the pocket but quickly dipped to his right and rolled until he saw Nixon make separation with his defender.
Milton then delivered a 40-yard bullet just over Nixon’s shoulder and the Viera High product corralled it for his first UCF touchdown, one of two he had in the game.
“When you see [Milton] scramble out, it’s time to hit the field … go left, go right, go down somewhere ... get open,” Nixon smiled.
He did his part and he was excited to be a part of UCF’s 14th consecutive victory.
“Going on the road and getting that first W … it’s a great feeling,” Nixon said. “And knowing the offense is clicking, it’s all really good.”
It clicked just fine against UConn, giving UCF fans a glimpse of what this offense will be capable of with a group of receivers that quite possibly could rival any receiving corps in the nation. With Nixon, Gabe Davis, Dredrick Snelson, Marlon Williams and Tristan Payton, opposing defenses will have their work cut out for them in UCF’s new opened-up offense under head coach Josh Heupel.
UCF did things fast last season, but in the Heupel hurry-up, things are even more up-tempo and the defenses better be ready to roll. Against UConn, Milton spread the ball around to nine different receivers and he was 24-of-32 passing for 346 yards and five touchdowns.
Five of those catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns were by the new guy. Nixon loves it. “It’s crazy. I’ll tell you, Day 1, when I came here during spring, I looked around and said, ‘We have a lot of playmakers on this team … a lot of dudes that can go out and make plays.’ And that’s what’s so good,” Nixon said.
“It just brings good competition into the room, people going out and making plays every practice and during the game.
“It’s just always good to see your teammate, knowing you got a guy on the other side of the field who can make a play, too.”
Nixon had to wait out an appeal before he knew for sure he would be able to play this season under a special ruling that allowed Ole Miss players to transfer and not have to sit out the usual one-year NCAA mandate.
“It was a long process, a lot of always thinking about like, ‘What if, what if I can’t play?’ ” Nixon said. “But ultimately, when the appeal came out and we won the appeal it was a great feeling, just a blessing knowing all your hard work during the spring has finally transferred over.”
Now he’s playing football only an hour from his hometown of Melbourne, which gives his mom a great opportunity to come and watch her son.
“Ah man, it’s awesome. When I was at Ole Miss, my mom didn’t really get a chance to catch a home game,” Nixon said.
“And now, she’s a seasonticket holder, so she’s gonna be at every home game, even at some away games too, so it’s all good.”
And sure, he has his first UCF game under his belt, but he’s even more excited about the Knights’ first home game this season Saturday against South Carolina State.
“Since I moved here in January, this is what I’ve been waiting for,” Nixon said. “To see the Bounce House packed and fans shouting ... just making plays in the Bounce House. Can’t wait.”