With QB Milton hurt, Mack steps up in win

GREENVILLE, N.C. — The surprising decision by UCF to play sophomore quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. in place of injured McKenzie Milton paid off, with the Knights earning a 37-10 win over East Carolina Saturday. The victory extended the nation’s longest win streak to 20 games. Check out the top things we learned from the Knights’ win over the Pirates.

1. Mack gives UCF’s offense a different look: Mack’s versatility came in handy Saturday. The sophomore quarterback led the team in rushing with 120 yards on a team-high 22 carries.

UCF coach Josh Heupel was pleased with the way Mack handled the offense against the Pirates, noting he didn’t turn the ball over in his first career start.

“He did a fantastic job. He managed the game really well, took care of the football the entire night,” Heupel said. “He didn’t have huge passing numbers as far as yards [12-of-20 for 69 yards], but he was really efficient and was on target with some our deep balls that we ended up not catching or not making a play on.

“I just thought a great decision-maker, ran really physical with our run-pass stuff. I’m really proud of the way that he played.”

Mack was pleased with his performance, but he believed he left some plays on the field.

“It does a lot for my confidence, but I’m still always going to try and stay ready to start each and every week. Going into practice

and preparing Mack said.

like

that,”

2. The defense continues to be opportunistic: Ona night when much of the focus was on the offense, particularly the quarterback position, the defense stepped up in a big way and forced a season-high five turnovers against ECU.

The Knights sacked Pirates quarterback Holton Ahlers three times while forcing four fumbles, including one that linebacker Nate Evans picked up and returned 94 yards for a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter.

“It was a critical drive for us, especially as a defense,” Evans said of the play before which ECU had driven to the UCF 2-yard line and appeared to be in a position to score only to have the football knocked out of Ahlers’ hands and returned for a score.

“Our defense, we have a strong brotherhood and we

executed the play call, and a positive came from it.”

Nevelle Clarke also added an interception during the first half.

“Turnovers are typically going to be one of two things that are going to decide a football game,” Heupel said. “Our defense did a great job tonight being extremely physical even when [East Carolina] moved the football.

3. The bye week couldn’t have come at a better time: The Knights have 10 days to rest and recover before hosting Temple on Thursday, Nov. 1, at Spectrum Stadium.

Heupel said the bye will give the players a chance to rest for a couple of days before getting back on the practice field to prepare for the Owls.

“We need a couple days off. We need to get healed up and then find a way to go 1-0 the following week,” Heupel said.