ORLANDO, Fla. — UCF (1-1) is hosting the Maryland Terrapins (2-0) saturday night in the first ever meeting between the two programs. Continue to check back for live quarterly updates in the Knights’ second home game this season.
Maryland has won the toss and elected to defer the second half, UCF back to receive.
First Quarter:
McKenzie Milton came out and began setting a solid pace, moving the chains early. On the first set of fresh downs, however, the freshman quarterback fumbled away a hand-off and Maryland gained possession at mid-field.
The Knights’ defense took over with authority and saved the potential momentum shifter, stopping the Terps with a three-and-out.
Neither team was able to gain serious ground in the next two possessions, though it was the speed of UCF defenders to the ball that stood out immediately, as did Milton’s 4-4 start finding his receivers. His first incompletion set up a UCF first down, one followed by a sneaky fake punt for a first down.
It was an effort that didn’t lead to points, but more yardage and great field position for the defense.
UCF’s first big break came with 2:13 left in the first quarter as Adrian Killins once again raced down the sideline, this time not for a touchdown but for a 43 yard gain. Faced with a short yardage fourth down situation, the Knights kept the drive alive with a nine yard option play on fourth down.
Converting set up a four yard touchdown pass from Milton to Dontravious Wilson, the first of the quarterback’s career and the first receving score of Wilson’s.
UCF 7 Maryland 0
Second Quarter:
Maryland gave the second quarter a lackluster start, punting once again on the first possession. UCF quickly gifted the ball back with aother muffed handoff, and the Terrapins took over in Knights’ territory.
In their first trip to the opposite end of the field, Maryland caught wind of enough momentum to set up a crucial third down conversion and a first-and-goal from the seven yard line. The Terps quickly scored from seven yards out.
UCF 7 Maryland 7
Tre Quan Smith and Milton connected quickly for an athletic and exciting 24 yard play down the sideline, rolling momentum heavily for the Knights, when a tipped pass was immediately intercepted to end the drive.
Down to the wire with time running out on the half, Maryland converted a couple of big plays to position themselves in striking range. The Terrapins knocked a 33 yard field goal with time expiring.
UCF 7 Maryland 10
Third Quarter:
A long, rumbling kick return gave Maryland excellent field position to start the half, beginning the drive from the UCF 33 yard line. It was all in vain, however, as the Terps missed a field goal attempt from 38 yards out, followed closely by a missed 51 yard attempt on their next drive.
Twice in a row to start the quarter UCF was unable to make any real progress and failed to convert on fourth down attempts. A long pas completion from Milton to Jordan Akins shook the game up with under five minutes remaining in the quarter, setting up a first and goal on the heels of a 71 yard catch and run.
Milton would punch it in from seven yards out after recovering a fumble on the three yard line.
UCF 14 Maryland 10
Maryland needed little time to recover. Following the score the Terrapins marched right into UCF territory, punching in a score from the ground on a 16 yard rush.
UCF 14 Maryland 17
Fourth Quarter:
This was the smoothest the offense has looked in one drive. Milton and company began to really click here, piecing together a few big plays. Killins broke free for a long run, Tre Quan Smith reeled in a highlight-worthy pass and Milton made plays with his legs. The drive did end up stalling out, but not before UCF was able to tie things up with a 41 yard field goal.
UCF 17 UMD 17
