The University of Central Florida will face its greatest obstacle yet.
Quarterback McKenzie Milton ran for a QB keep in the second quarter of the USF game and was met by a Bulls lineman who ducked for a tackle and mistakenly devastated Milton’s leg. USF trainers immediately began care on the college junior while UCF’s ran to Milton.
Reaction to Milton’s very serious leg injury from @KirkHerbstreit: https://t.co/l8KtQTioNe
— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) November 23, 2018
Darriel Mack, the second string quarterback, ran over onto the field with the rest of the UCF football team and kneeled while Milton was braced. Mack hugged Milton as he prepared to be carted off and the Heisman Hopeful pointed to the sky as Raymond James Stadium chanted “UCF.”
We got you, 🔟 #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/QRyfZWRFGZ
— UCF Football (@UCF_Football) November 23, 2018
Mack, Jr. led the Knights in their 37-10 victory over ECU on the road after Milton sat out due to light discomfort in the leg following a rough tackle at the Memphis game. Mack received playing time at the end of other games and is equipped to bring the Knights another back-to-back regular-season sweep.
The sophomore began his collegiate football career with the Knights in 2017, coming from Norfolk, Virginia as a three-star quarterback.
Mack, Jr. made a statement at the beginning of the season with a 70-yard touchdown run after taking over for Milton in the fourth quarter of the UConn game while a 49-10 score was held.
The run was the second-longest in school history by a quarterback behind only a 75-yard TD run from Daunte Culpepper.
Raymond James Stadium is chanting “UCF” as Milton gives a thumbs up #UCFvsUSF
— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) November 23, 2018
The Knights led the Bulls by two scores at the time of injury and the UCF defense continued to keep USF from reaching the end zone once gameplay resumed.
Milton pointed to the crowd before being carted off in a sign of well-being. Right leg braced but moving. Milton is confirmed not to be returning to today’s game, per ESPN and we’ll wait to hear more #UCFvsUSF pic.twitter.com/fVsZdLtoRk
— UCF Knight News (@UCFKnightNews) November 23, 2018
Milton’s condition will be announced at a later time. Stay tuned for updates.
UCF will host Memphis once again in the AAC Championship on December 1 at 3:30 p.m.