Who is new UCF QB Darriel Mack Jr?
Memphis will return to the AAC championship game on Saturday in Orlando to face UCF, but the Golden Knights are expected to have a different quarterback under center.
With McKenzie Milton likely out after suffering a severe leg injury Friday and undergoing surgery, the Knights will turn to backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr.. Mack finished UCF's win over South Florida on Friday that extended UCF's winning streak to 24 games
The Tigers are riding a four-game winning streak after beating Houston 52-31 on Friday to repeat as AAC West champions. They're familiar with UCF having played them three times since September 2017, including a 31-30 loss earlier this season and in last year's AAC Championship game, a 62-55 double overtime loss.
Now they have to get to know a quarterback they have yet to see on the field. The AAC Championship game will kick off at 3:30 p.m. on ABC
Who is Darriel Mack Jr.?
Mack, a redshirt freshman, is taller (6foot-3) and heavier (230 pounds) than Milton (5-11, 185 pounds) and just as effective in the running game.
He threw for 81 yards against USF on 5for-14 passing and ran for 51 yards. In UCF's season-opening win over UConn, his lone carry was a 70-yard touchdown run.
Mack mostly appeared in relief of Milton this season, but he started the 37-10 win over East Carolina. He only passed for 69 yards but ran for 120 yards and a touchdown.
Mack will also be the fourth freshman quarterback Memphis will have faced in its last five games. The Tigers faced ECU's Holton Ahlers, Tulsa's Seth Boomer and Houston's Clayton Tune during this win streak.