Although the Bulls were defeated Friday in their rivalry game against UCF, USF still holds the all-time lead in the War on I-4 series, 6-4. In 2007 (pictured), the Bulls beat the Knights 64-12. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
By Alec Arroyo
USF was unable to play spoiler at home against No. 9 UCF, losing 38-10 on Friday night.
The game was overshadowed, however, by a gruesome injury to UCF’s junior star quarterback, McKenzie Milton, with 11:17 left in the second quarter.
Milton was scrambling to his right and was tackled at the 25-yard line, but couldn’t get up due to a severely dislocated knee.
The injury took place on the USF sideline, and both teams surrounded Milton, holding their breath. Milton was carted off the field and taken to Tampa General Hospital, where he successfully underwent surgery, according to reports.
Despite losing Milton, UCF was able to continue to roll as they extended their win streak to 24 games, dating back to last season.
The Bulls were without their starting quarterback, Blake Barnett, due to an ankle injury he suffered the week before in their 27-17 loss against Temple. USF decided to start their redshirted sophomore Chris Oladokun in his place.
The USF offense was having a hard time moving the ball through the air as a combination of Oladokun and third-string quarterback Brett Kean combined for 113 yards passing on the day.
The Bulls were looking to end their regular season on a high note by beating the rival Knights, but instead, the team continued their lengthy losing streak – the longest of head coach Charlie Strong’s USF tenure.
USF’s season has been one of extreme highs and lows. After starting the season 7-0, the Bulls have now lost five straight games, putting their record at 7-5 to end the regular season.
The Bulls are bowl-eligible, but they are likely looking at a second-tier bowl game against a team outside of the Power Five conferences – likely a Conference USA or Sunbelt opponent.
Despite losing two straight games to UCF, the Bulls still hold the all-time lead in the War on I-4 series, 6-4.
