UCF Football: What we learned from comeback win on Memphis road trip

UCF football kept the nation’s longest winning streak alive in a comeback win against Memphis. Here’s what we learned from the 2017 AAC title game rematch.

On a rain-soaked day at the Liberty Bowl, Memphis pushed UCF to the limit as the two teams struggled to maintain possession of the slippery rock. A fumble-marred contest marked the rematch of last year’s American Athletic Conference championship game, as Memphis took a 30-17 lead into the locker room at halftime. But the second half was a tale of one team adjusting and the other team reacting, as the Knights pulled off a 31-30 comeback victory to stay undefeated.

McKenzie Milton was his usual do-everything self. His pinwheeling leap into the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown early in the fourth quarter ensured that UCF would walk away victorious and extended their FBS-leading winning streak to 19 games and counting. Milton went off for the Knights, throwing for 296 yards and a score on 17-of-29 passing and adding a rushing touchdown.

Taj McGowan was the newest star in the backfield for the talented Knights, leading the way on the ground with 81 yards and two touchdowns on four carries. HIs 71-yard burst, coming on fourth down in the third quarter and with the Knights and Tigers lined up in what looked more like a rugby-style ruck than a normal gridiron play, pulled the visitors within six points.

Then Milton went on his carom across the goal line for the winning points early in the fourth quarter, and the defense held firm to keep Memphis off the scoreboard in the second half.

For the defeated hosts, Darrell Henderson was held just one yard from reaching 200 rushing yards in a game for the third time in seven tries so far this season. It was a tale of two halves for the Tigers tailback, though, as Henderson amassed most of his production in the first half. Henderson piled on 21 carries for 172 yards and a touchdown in the first half, but was effectively contained in the second half as the Knights successfully executed the comeback by holding him to 27 yards on 10 carries.

Brady White matched Milton in terms of completion rate, as he also went 17-of-29 through the air. But the Memphis quarterback failed to put up numbers like his predecessor, Riley Ferguson, as he threw for only 209 yards without either a touchdown or an interception.

Being disciplined and protective of the football wasn’t enough for Memphis, though, especially since Darrell Henderson and Kedarian Jones both fumbled the ball for the Tigers. Those turnovers prevented Memphis from capitalizing on a UCF fumble in between their two giveaways.

With the big win in conference play, the Knights have a chance to reach the 20-win threshold next weekend on a trip to East Carolina. Memphis will look to try to pick up the pieces against SEC opponent Missouri on the road.