UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton suffers devastating injury against USF

UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton suffered a devastating injury in the first half of the Knights’ rivalry game with USF in Tampa, Florida.

Milton was carted off early in the second quarter of the War on I-4 game. He was injured on a running play, where he held his right knee after getting tackled.

A UCF spokesperson told ESPN during Friday’s broadcast that Milton would not return, but did not offer any further speculation on the injury.

UCF held a 7-0 lead prior to Milton’s injury, before extending it to 17-0 later in the second quarter. The Knights are riding a 23-game winning streak, the longest active streak in the nation, and are ranked No. 9 in the College Football Playoff rankings.

Both UCF and USF players offered support as Milton was tended to. After getting placed on a board and carted off, Milton gave a thumbs up, which drew cheers from the crowd at Raymond James Stadium. ESPN reported he was taken to a Tampa-area hospital for further evaluation.

Darriel Mack Jr. took over quarterback duties. UCF’s backup signal-caller led the Knights to a win over East Carolina earlier this season with Milton sidelined.

If the Knights, who lead 17-3 at halftime, hold off the Bulls in the second half, they’ll run their win streak to 24 games ahead of the American Athletic Conference championship game against Memphis.

The Tigers clinched a berth in the title game with a victory over Houston earlier on Friday. UCF defeated Memphis, 31-30, earlier this season.

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This story was originally published November 23, 2018 at 5:58 PM.