ORLANDO, Fla. — The family of UCF quarterback McKenzie Milton released a statement, confirming the Knight had surgery after suffering a devastating leg injury during the War on I-4 game in Tampa Friday night.

"McKenzie's surgery was successfull and he is recovering well," the statement read.

  • McKenzie Milton left the War on I-4 game Friday, was taken to the hospital
  • Knights rallied to beat USF, 38-10
  • Knight fans planning tributes to Milton at next week's AAC championship

The statement, which the UCF Football Team tweeted out, is the first public update we've seen about Milton's condition since he was taken to Tampa General Hospital.

Milton was tackled by a USF player while running with the ball in the second quarter of the War on I-4 game. 

Members of both teams gathered around Milton as he was seen by the team's sports medicine staff. He gave the thumbs up to the horrified fans as he was carted off the field with his leg in a cast.

No other details were released about the extent of Milton's injury, but the statement hinted to the severity of the injury.

"McKenzie looks forward to rejoining his teammates in Orlando and supporting them in their quest to bring another conference championship to our program," the statement said.

Milton, who is often talked about as a contender for the Heisman Trophy, is considered by many to be the heart and soul of the undefeated UCF Knights, who have gone 24-0 since last year. 

Next week the Knights play Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship in Orlando. Darriel Mack Jr., who helped rally the shocked but resilient Knights to a 38-10 victory over the Bulls Friday night, will start that game. 

"I'm extremely proud of DJ," said Head Coach Scott Heupel. "The way he came  in and the poise he played with, took care of the football."

 

 The Knights are also pushing for a New Years Day bowl game, or even a chance to make the college football playoffs.

UCF fans online are now rallying around Mack while also planning tributes to Milton for next week's game. 

Milton is from Hawaii, so fans are actively campaigning to get others to wear Hawaiian shirts and black and gold leis in his honor. They would also like to see UCF players wear Milton's number 10 on their helmets during the game.

The Milton family also invoked its Hawaiian roots in the last line of its statement, using a word many players used last night to describe their organization.

"Remember what Ohana means. No one gets left behind. #UCFamily."