Lane Kiffin let out a somber mood after facing the Knights in Orlando and leaving to Boca with a 36-56 loss.
The offensive-minded coach, and “Lane Train hype machine,” used every weakness in the Knights defense they could find to pile on touchdowns – Randy Shannons’ Achilles Heel being FAU star running back Devin Singletary. Kiffin quickly realized UCF had little to no power to stop the run game and often ran the same route successfully play-after-play for first downs. As the game wound on, the linebackers and d-line stopped Singletary at the line of scrimmage. Singletary finished with 131 net yards.
Final box score for tonight’s game
-Single game career high tied 6 touchdowns for Milton
-Three interceptions for the UCF defense from three different linebackers #FAUvsUCF pic.twitter.com/SOAU4LsfiX— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) September 22, 2018
Three separate linebackers recorded three different interceptions. One at the game opening thanks to defensive anchor Pat Jasinski to build a 14-0 lead early in the first and another at the game close by Shawn Burgess-Becker with a pick-six to make it a 50+ score game. That’s not to say the Knights defense was top-ten level; missed tackles, not up-to-par special teams, and more missed tackles would be the downfall of UCF in a match against a tougher opponent.
“First off, if UCF has a different logo on their shirt, if it’s an SEC or ACC, you guys are voting them top probably six in the country – nation’s longest win streak, two blowouts already this season,” Kiffin said in the post-game press conference.
“That’s a really good team.”
Kiffin had a blowout loss to No. 5 Oklahoma in their season opener 63-14 but managed to claim wins against Air Force and Bethune-Cookman. The 2017 Owls squad might have brought the score gap closer, but the Lane Train would be no match.
Milton again proved to be the shining star of the team with three rushing touchdowns and three passing touchdowns, tied for his single-game career-high TD record set against Memphis last year. Milton recorded 81 rushing yards and 306 passing yards. Across the board, however, the Knights fell flat in the second quarter and trailed for the first time this season momentarily.
Milton and Burgess-Becker would bounce back with 35 points to break free from Kiffin and Florida Atlantic.
Up next is ACC opponent Pitt at home Saturday 3:30 p.m. Stay tuned with Knight News for more UCF Football.
