One of only 13 undefeated teams remaining in the FBS, UCF will enter week seven ranked No. 22 by the AP Top-25 Poll.
The Knights climbed from unranked to the bottom of the elite tier last week at No. 25, and have made the jump three spots in the aftermath of a lightning-hastened, three-quarter, 51-23 thrashing on the Cincinnati Bearcats.
McKenzie Milton has led UCF’s offense to 47.5 points per game – tops in the country. The defense is ranked atop the American Athletic Conference in scoring after surrendering 23 to the Bearcats in the shortened game, sitting at 15.8 points per game.
The American Athletic Conference can now lay claim to three teams ranked in the Coaches’ Poll, with Navy jumping up to No. 24 join No. 21 UCF and No. 15 USF.
CINCINNATI, Ohio. – The Knights were robbed of a chance to set historic highs in Cincinnati on Saturday when American Athletic Conference officials abruptly called the in-conference matchup after an hour and seven-minute rain delay. UCF was well on the way to shattering an entire page of offensive records – coming close to knocking off team record for total yards (657), passing touchdowns (7), receiving touchdowns (4), and points (63).
That doesn’t mean individual benchmarks weren’t shattered and reset.
McKenzie Milton, QB: Money Milton set the season’s tone in week one against FIU when he launched four touchdowns and 360 yards, both career highs at the time. He smashed those two marks on Saturday, ratcheting the numbers up to five touchdowns and 374 yards.
Tre’Quan Smith, WR: Smith came into the game with ten receptions and four touchdowns, an incredible ratio. He only solidified his All-American potential at historic Nippert Stadium, recording the second-most yards he ever has in a single game with 165. His four total touchdowns were a career high. His three receiving touchdowns were also career highs, and his rushing touchdown was the first of his career.
Milton-to-Smith connection: When UCF scored their second touchdown of the game in a single-play drive, the 79-yard streak run by Tre’Quan set the mark for the longest passing and receiving touchdowns for either player’s career.
Michael Colubiale, TE: Colubiale has been buried on the depth chart for years. The tight end is finally getting to see the field as a senior, catching at least one pass in every game this season as the No. 3 TE on the depth chart. He reeled in his first career touchdown halfway through the second quarter.
Matthew Wright, K: Matty Ice was one of the most consistent kickers in all of college football in 2015 and 2016, sending 30 of 39 kicks through the uprights. The 47 yarder he nailed Saturday was the longest field goal in 2017 for Wright and the third longest of his career.
Seyvon Lowry, DL: Lowry is somewhat of a defensive vulture, capitalizing on low slung balls within his massive reach along the defensive line. He ripped a pass out of the air in 2016 against Cincinnati and victimized the Bearcats once again on their own turf. Lowry now has two interceptions on the season, a career high for the 6-3 lineman out of Jacksonville. As a matter of fact, he has more interceptions than sacks in his two seasons as a rotational player for UCF.
Marlon Williams, WR: Williams is a freaky athletic specimen. He is a 6-foot, 205-pound freshman who looks every bit the part of a top-tier receiving threat who can hurt you in a multitude of ways. The true freshman was asked to carry the ball for the very first time as a Knight in Cincinnati, and he took advantage of the opportunity to house the Bearcats for 47 yards, the longest and only rush of his career.
Dredrick Snelson, WR: Snelson came into view towards the end of 2016, making the occasional reception and notching two scores on the season. His longest haul of the year was a 61-yard catch, but the 54-yard touchdown he handled for the game’s first score was the longest touchdown reception of his career.
UCF Football: Since joining the real world of college football in 1988, UCF has never started more than 3-0; most notably in the Fiesta Bowl Season when the Knights lost to South Carolina at home in week four. Their three-quarter win over Cincinnati signals the first time that UCF has begun 4-0, ever.
Scott Frost: Coach Frost began this particular benchmark last week against Memphis, earning his first ever three-game winning streak as a head coach. Saturday’s win at Nippert Stadium marks the longest winning streak of the young head coach’s career.
No. 25 UCF thrashes Cincinnati 51-23 for its first 4-0 start in 35 years
