UCF Football: 3 takeaways from OT victory over Memphis

3. McKenzie Milton deserves a trip to Manhattan for Heisman ceremony

It was hardly the prettiest performance by McKenzie Milton. Had UCF failed to survive the shootout against Memphis, he would easily have ended up the scapegoat of the game. Milton ended the day with three interceptions, as he overthrew receivers and tried to force balls into tight windows.

But the UCF quarterback also threw for 494 yards and five touchdowns on 28-of-40 passing. He pulled out the victory in the end, outdueling Memphis gunslinger Riley Ferguson on a day when both topped 450 yards in the air.

Milton also displayed a deft command of Scott Frost’s option offense, executing several last-second pitches to his running backs that made the difference. It was a gutsy performance on the big stage by Milton, who was the catalyst for UCF’s run to a perfect season and the top-rated offense in the country.

Milton was hardly perfect at home on Saturday, but despite his gaffes he performed at a high level when it mattered most. Baker Mayfield is almost certainly going to run away with the Heisman voting, but Milton did everything necessary to earn himself a spot in Manhattan for the award ceremony next weekend.