Milton leads 'unique' UCF offense
ATLANTA | Job No. 1 for Auburn’s defense Monday will be slowing down McKenzie Milton.
The sophomore quarterback has accounted for over 4,000 yards and 42 touchdowns passing and rushing, leading UCF to a 12-0 record and No. 12 national ranking.
“He's a guy that has the ability, because of his athleticism, and just the moxie that he has and the way he plays the game to keep and extend plays and kind of make the second half of a play,” Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said.
No. 7 Auburn has faced several dual-threat quarterback this season including Clemson’s Kelly Bryant, Mississippi State’s Nick Fitzgerald and Alabama’s Jalen Hurts.
Steele likes to keep it simple when facing dangerous quarterbacks like Milton.
“When you try to put too much focus on the other team or any opponent you play, you know, you don't really get the opportunity to do your job the best way you can,” senior linebacker Tre’ Williams said. “So as soon as Coach Steele got here, that's the first thing he put in. Like focus on yourselves. Like focus on your technique, your job, and just the defense in general, like everybody's execution and you'll be fine.
If you start focusing on what your opponent is doing, you'll get out of your gap or your technique won't be right and things like that. He emphasizes that every day. Just do your job and focus on yourself and we'll be all right.”
Milton, who is 5-foot-11, has completed 249-of-360 passes (69.2 percent) for 3,795 yards with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He’s rushed for 497 yards and seven touchdowns on 93 carries.
He’s led a UCF offense that ranks No. 1 in the nation averaging 49.4 points per game.
“I could say their concept is very unique,” junior linebacker Deshaun Davis said. “I know in the running game, they do a lot of misdirections, they do a lot of things to get your eyes running and to get their speed to the edge. They really do have some fast guys, but I think their concept is kind of, you know, what gives you a problem. Even in the passing game, they do a lot of switch routes and things in the secondary to get your eyes and also get you tangled up looking at one guy when they really want to hit another one.
“Their coach does a really good job. He run concepts to attack the holes that you have in your defense. He's a very smart offensive coordinator and me just watching film, I respect their game and I respect his mindset as a coach. We know we have a challenge in front of us and it's a challenge that we have accepted. You know, I feel like we're prepared.”
Kickoff in the Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium Monday is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. CT on ESPN.