From a winless program to a cinematic undefeated season, the legendary quarterback reflects on his historic rise, a life-altering injury, and his enduring legacy with Knight Nation.
McKenzie Milton still remembers his UCF playing days, hearing Zombie Nation blast through the speakers before running out to the field and playing in front of thousands of fans.
His time playing for the Knights, how he helped the program and coach Scott Frost achieve, and the quarterbacks who came before him are the reasons why he bounces.
Milton started his collegiate career at UCF, recruited by Frost during his first tenure. Frost gave the young quarterback a chance and he repaid him by leading the program to an undefeated season in 2017.
He had a career season that year, combining for over 4,500 total yards and 45 touchdowns -- 4,037 passing yards, 37 touchdowns and nine interceptions; 613 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 103 carries.
UCF faced Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship game, and it was a high-octane shootout between both teams. The Knights prevailed 62-55, and Milton heroically gave his team the push they needed to win before the defense secured a game-sealing interception and became AAC champions.
"It was like everything the program had been through for," Milton said in UCF's "Why We Bounce" YouTube episode. "You know, two years going winless to not a lot of people in the stands to, you know, six and seven to undefeated. Like, it's something you can't write in a movie."
Milton led UCF over Auburn in the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl, cementing the Knights' undefeated season. While Milton finished at the top of the college football world, it all came crashing down several months later.
He suffered a dislocated right knee after two USF players tackled him. Milton was carted off the field, and a later evaluation discovered extensive damage to the nerves and arteries in his right knee.
Doctors performed surgery to restore blood flow in his knee, and he underwent reconstructive knee surgery. The injury impacted his career, leading to his retirement in 2022 and he started his coaching journey.
Milton coached as an offensive analyst at Tennessee before rejoining Frost at UCF to help him create a winning culture, just like they did during the 2017 season.
He had a historic career with the Knights, leading them to an undefeated season. His experience with the student body and fans, Frost and the quarterbacks who came before him are why he bounces for UCF.
"I bounce because Dante Culpepper bounced before me," Milton said. "Because Blake Bortles bounced before me and because Scott Frost gave me the opportunity to play here. I bounce because I have the brothers to my left and the brothers to my right, and those are the guys that made me go. And I bounce because when Knight Nation is out there, it makes you go."
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