|
|
UCF |
AUBURN |
Milton powers No. 10 UCF to 34-27 Peach Bowl win over Auburn
ATLANTA (AP) McKenzie Milton wanted to throw a blanket of 13 wins and no losses over the College Football Playoff.
After Milton and Central Florida capped a perfect season, he suggested it was time to respect the Knights, even if they weren't invited to the playoff.
Milton threw two touchdown passes and ran for 116 yards with another touchdown, leading No. 10 UCF to a 34-27 Peach Bowl win over No. 7 Auburn on Monday.
Then it was time to boast.
''I said on the podium you can go ahead and cancel the playoffs,'' Milton said. ''I'm not changing my mind.''
UCF (13-0) led 34-20 before having to stop a late Auburn comeback. Antwan Collier's interception in the end zone with 24 seconds remaining clinched the win.
The UCF players launched a joyous postgame celebration, rolling around in confetti on the field while wearing T-shirts that read ''Champions.''
The Knights won in their final game with coach Scott Frost, who stayed with the team through the bowl game after accepting an offer to become the new coach at Nebraska , his alma mater. Frost will bring most of his UCF assistants to Nebraska.
''It was the right thing to do to come coach these guys,'' Frost said, holding the game ball. ''I'm not happy for me. I'm so happy for these guys.''
The Knights thought they deserved a higher ranking after winning the American Athletic Conference and leading the nation in scoring. They made a strong statement by beating Auburn (10-4).
Frost said ''it wasn't right'' for UCF to not receive more consideration for the four-team playoff.
''They deserve more credit from the committee than they got,'' he said.
Auburn was held to 90 yards rushing on 44 carries.
''That was probably the main stat that was disappointing for me,'' Tigers coach Gus Malzahn said.
More dominance: The Knights sacked Jarrett Stidham six times. Auburn had only one sack.
After Auburn took a 20-13 lead in the third quarter on a 4-yard run by Kerryon Johnson, Milton threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Otis Anderson to tie the game. Milton, under pressure, zipped an 8-yard scoring pass to Dredrick Snelson early in the fourth to give the Knights the lead.
Chequan Burkett's 45-yard interception return for a touchdown pushed the lead to 14 points.
Auburn suffered its second straight loss at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, where it was beaten by Georgia in the Southeastern Conference championship game one month ago.
Johnson, who said he was almost fully recovered from a late-season shoulder injury, ran for 71 yards.
UCF led 13-6 at halftime despite being held under 14 points at the break for the first time this season.
TROPHIES
Frost lofted the football-shaped Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl trophy before passing it on to his players. Milton was named offensive MVP. Shaquem Griffin, who had 12 tackles including 1 1/2 sacks, was defensive MVP.
TAKEAWAYS
UCF: The Knights passed every test, including on the line of scrimmage, as they proved they could match speed and strength with the Tigers. Milton overcame a slow start after completing only 3 of 17 passes for 30 yards in the first half. He completed 16 of 35 passes for 242 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions.
Auburn: The Tigers couldn't maintain momentum after opening the second half with two touchdowns for a 20-13 lead. Auburn insisted motivation would not be a problem after the crushing loss in the SEC championship game, but after the game, cornerback Javaris Davis said the Knights ''just wanted it more and they came out and played like it.'' Stidham completed 28 of 43 passes for 331 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions.
UP NEXT
UCF: The Knights will begin a new era with coach Josh Heupel , the former Missouri offensive coordinator. Their opening game has not been set, but they will play at North Carolina on Sept. 15.
Auburn: The Tigers will return for their third straight game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium when they play Washington on Sept. 1 to open the 2018 season.
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Copyright 2018 by AP. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of AP is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
M. MiltonÂ
10 QB
|
M. Milton | 16/35 | 242 | 2 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
M. MiltonÂ
10 QB
|
M. Milton | 13 | 116 | 1 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||
O. AndersonÂ
26 WR
|
O. Anderson | 11 | 38 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. Killins Jr.Â
9 RB
|
A. Killins Jr. | 10 | 28 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. SmithÂ
4 WR
|
T. Smith | 0 | 5 | 89 | 0 | 34 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AkinsÂ
88 TE
|
J. Akins | 0 | 2 | 56 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SnelsonÂ
5 WR
|
D. Snelson | 0 | 4 | 39 | 1 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
G. DavisÂ
13 WR
|
G. Davis | 0 | 2 | 38 | 0 | 23 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. AndersonÂ
26 WR
|
O. Anderson | 0 | 2 | 17 | 1 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Killins Jr.Â
9 RB
|
A. Killins Jr. | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. WilliamsÂ
17 WR
|
M. Williams | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
S. GriffinÂ
18 LB
|
S. Griffin | 9-4 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. DavisÂ
10 LB
|
T. Davis | 7-2 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GibsonÂ
25 DB
|
K. Gibson | 6-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BurkettÂ
2 LB
|
C. Burkett | 6-2 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HughesÂ
19 DB
|
M. Hughes | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. ClarkeÂ
14 DB
|
N. Clarke | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. GrantÂ
27 DB
|
R. Grant | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
P. JasinskiÂ
56 LB
|
P. Jasinski | 4-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. PittmanÂ
5 DL
|
J. Pittman | 3-2 | 1.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ConnorsÂ
91 DL
|
J. Connors | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. MooreÂ
20 DB
|
B. Moore | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. HillÂ
9 DL
|
T. Hill | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. GueradÂ
93 DL
|
T. Guerad | 2-3 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. NealÂ
23 DB
|
T. Neal | 2-5 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. CollierÂ
3 DB
|
A. Collier | 1-0 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. EvansÂ
44 LB
|
N. Evans | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. LowryÂ
49 DL
|
S. Lowry | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WootenÂ
54 DL
|
A. Wooten | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
M. WrightÂ
11 K
|
M. Wright | 2/4 | 45 | 4/4 | 10 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
M. LoudermilkÂ
48 P
|
M. Loudermilk | 5 | 40.2 | 3 | 53 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. HughesÂ
19 DB
|
M. Hughes | 4 | 22.5 | 33 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
M. Hughes 19 DB
|
M. Hughes | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. StidhamÂ
8 QB
|
J. Stidham | 28/43 | 331 | 1 | 2 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
K. JohnsonÂ
21 RB
|
K. Johnson | 22 | 71 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MartinÂ
9 RB
|
K. Martin | 6 | 24 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. StoveÂ
12 WR
|
E. Stove | 3 | 23 | 1 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BarrettÂ
5 RB
|
D. Barrett | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. StidhamÂ
8 QB
|
J. Stidham | 12 | -25 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
W. HastingsÂ
33 WR
|
W. Hastings | 0 | 6 | 117 | 1 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. SlaytonÂ
81 WR
|
D. Slayton | 0 | 5 | 69 | 0 | 29 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Craig-MyersÂ
3 WR
|
N. Craig-Myers | 0 | 3 | 54 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. DavisÂ
23 WR
|
R. Davis | 0 | 8 | 47 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. CoxÂ
27 FB
|
C. Cox | 0 | 2 | 23 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. McClainÂ
17 WR
|
M. McClain | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. JohnsonÂ
21 RB
|
K. Johnson | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. BarrettÂ
5 RB
|
D. Barrett | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. StoveÂ
12 WR
|
E. Stove | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. BrownÂ
86 TE
|
T. Brown | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
J. PetersÂ
15 DB
|
J. Peters | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. WilliamsÂ
49 LB
|
D. Williams | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsÂ
30 LB
|
T. Williams | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. DeanÂ
12 DB
|
J. Dean | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. DavisÂ
57 LB
|
D. Davis | 4-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MatthewsÂ
28 DB
|
T. Matthews | 4-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. BrownÂ
5 DL
|
D. Brown | 3-4 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DavidsonÂ
3 DL
|
M. Davidson | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HollandÂ
4 LB
|
J. Holland | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. DavisÂ
13 DB
|
J. Davis | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. AtkinsonÂ
48 LB
|
M. Atkinson | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RussellÂ
95 DL
|
D. Russell | 2-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. ThomasÂ
24 DB
|
D. Thomas | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. McBrydeÂ
51 LB
|
R. McBryde | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. RuffinÂ
19 DB
|
N. Ruffin | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. WilliamsÂ
79 DL
|
A. Williams | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
D. CarlsonÂ
38 K
|
D. Carlson | 2/3 | 46 | 3/3 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
A. MarshallÂ
41 P
|
A. Marshall | 5 | 39.2 | 0 | 43 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
N. IgbinogheneÂ
4 WR
|
N. Igbinoghene | 6 | 29.0 | 72 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
S. Roberts 14 DB
|
S. Roberts | 1 | -10.0 | 0 | 0 |