No. 21 UCF routs UConn, 56-17

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. — No. 21 UCF has a new coaching staff — and an offense that looks very similar to the one that helped the Knights go undefeated season a year ago.

McKenzie Milton threw for 346 yards and tied a career high with five touchdowns as the self-proclaimed defending national champions routed UConn 56-17 on Thursday night to extend the longest winning streak in the nation to 14 games.

The reigning American Athletic Conference offensive player of the year completed 24 of 32 passes and ran for another 50 yards on seven carries. Sophomore receiver Tre Nixon, a transfer from Mississippi, caught five passes for 101 yards and scored on plays of 34 and 11 yards.

Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. came on in the fourth quarter and broke a 70-yard touchdown run down the left sideline, making him the team’s leading rusher.

It was the first game for coach Josh Heupel, who took the reins after Scott Frost left for Nebraska.

“I don’t know if we’re going to miss a beat,” Milton said. “The schematics are a little different, but we’re going to score a lot of points no matter what.”

UConn quarterback David Pindell was a bright spot for the Huskies, throwing for 266 yards and a touchdown and running for another 157 yards and a score.

But the Huskies had 30 freshmen and sophomores on their two-deep, and more than a dozen players saw their first livegame action on Thursday night.

“I thought we had some young men who played a bit tentative for their first time and just didn’t let it go,” coach Randy Edsall said. “Now they understand how hard it is.”