Jan 1, 2018; Atlanta, GA, USA; Central Florida Knights quarterback McKenzie Milton (10) runs for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the first half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Photo Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
ATLANTA — Central Florida completed an improbable unbeaten season in coach Scott Frost’s farewell game, striking a blow for non-Power Five Conference schools.
McKenzie Milton passed for two touchdowns and ran for a third as the 10th-ranked Knights finished 13-0 three seasons after going winless, holding on for a 34-27 victory over No. 7 Auburn on Monday in the 50th Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
UCF sacked Jarrett Stidham six times and had two interceptions, including an end zone pick by Antwan Collier in the closing seconds.
Chequan Burkett had a 45-yard touchdown return of a Stidham interception with just under six minutes remaining to give UCF a two-touchdown lead after the Knights had gone ahead on an 8-yard touchdown pass from Milton to Dredrick Snelson early in the fourth quarter.
Auburn (10-4) quickly got back within a touchdown as Eli Stove capped an 89-yard drive on a 7-yard run with 4:12 left and the Tigers were driving for a potential touchdown when Stidham threw widely into the end zone under heavy pressure.
No. 14 Notre Dame 21, No. 16 LSU 17
ORLANDO, Fla. — Miles Boykin turned a one-handed sideline catch into a 55-yard touchdown pass from Ian Book with 1:28 left and No. 14 Notre Dame pulled out a Citrus Bowl victory over No. 16 LSU.
Boykin caught three passes for 102 yards and was the MVP.
Book had replaced starter Brandon Wimbush late in the first half when the game was scoreless. Book completed 14 of 19 passes for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Notre Dame (10-3) won after being outgained and committing two turnovers, only one of which turned into LSU points. Jack Gonsoulin’s 17-yard field goal had given LSU (9-4) a 17-14 lead with 2:03 left.
South Carolina 26, Michigan 19
TAMPA, Fla. — South Carolina overcame a 16-point deficit late in the third quarter and got big plays from Jake Bentley to rally for an Outback Bowl win over Michigan at Raymond James Stadium.
The Gamecocks (9-4) recovered a Michigan fumble at their 4-yard line to stop one drive, then scored three straight touchdowns to take the lead.
Michigan had four second-half turnovers, the last when Steven Montac intercepted a pass with 1:12 remaining.
Rico Dowdle ran 17 yards for a score and Bentley threw a 21-yard pass to Bryan Edwards in a span of 94 seconds late in the third quarter to pull South Carolina within three. Then Bentley threw a 53-yard score to freshman Shi Smith for a 23-19 lead with 11:33 to play.
Michigan (8-5) lost its final three games, including two in the regular season to top-10 teams in Wisconsin and Ohio State.
