Orlando, FL- After a big 38-10 victory over Maryland, the UCF Knights(2-0) are ready to take on the Memphis Tigers (3-0) in their second game since Hurricane Irma. This is the first AAC game of the season for both squads, who will be looking to continue the momentum they have built early on in this season as they head into conference play.
This game, which was originally supposed to be played on September 9th, was postponed to September 30th due to Hurricane Irma, throwing a wrench into both team’s preparations.
The Knights, who have had multiple games affected by Irma, are using the postponement as a second week of preparation for Memphis. Senior Linebacker Shaquem Griffin was asked about what preparations had been done prior to the postponement, “Before the hurricane, we already had the scouting reports done and now we have to piggyback off of that and make more adjustments,” he continued. “I feel like having the hurricane and having the game canceled and put it right back on, it gave us another step to get better for them and to get more prepared.”
UCF will look to continue its improvement under Head Coach Scott Frost, who has transformed this team completely from that winless 2015 season that is now totally unrecognizable. Currently, Coach Frost has both sides of the ball rolling, as his offense is ranked 2nd in average points per game (49.5), and 18th in passing yards per game (308.5). Defensively, the Knights are bringing the 3rd best third down conversion defense (16%) and turnover margin (+2.0) in the nation.
The Knights are led offensively by sophomore quarterback McKenzie Milton, who is currently 6th in the nation in passing efficiency (183.7). Through UCF’s first 2 games, Milton has thrown for over 500 yards, with 5 touchdowns and just one interception on the season.
The Memphis Tigers, who are 2 weeks removed from their 48-45 victory over UCLA, are also bringing a high-scoring offense into Spectrum Stadium. Averaging 43 points per game in their 3 games played thus far, the Tigers will look to air it out on Saturday. Led by quarterback Riley Ferguson, the Tigers will need a big game from their quarterback if they are going to return to Memphis with a victory.
This will be a big test for both teams, and even though the college football season is only 5 weeks young, this could very well be a preview of the AAC championship game at the end of the season. One thing is for certain though, as we will be getting an exciting clash under the lights in Orlando.
The UCF Knights and Memphis Tigers will kick-off Saturday, September 30th at 7:00 p.m. ET from Spectrum Stadium in Orlando.
