PITTSBURGH — The week of practice for the Pitt Panthers leading up to their visit to No. 13 Central Florida this Saturday is going quickly, and not just in the metaphorical sense.
The Panthers have pushed the tempo in practice to attempt to replicate the speed and intensity of the UCF offense that finished 2017 as the best in the nation in 2017 with an average of 530.9 yards per game.
So far in 2018, they’re averaging even more, at 587.7 yards per game and are ranked fifth in the country. McKenzie Milton is a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, Adrian Killins is averaging 5.8 yards per carry and has three touchdowns, as does receiver Gabriel Davis, who has 20 catches for 242 yards.
All of that has come despite the Knights only playing three games after their Week 3 tilt at North Carolina was rained out due to Hurricane Florence.
The speed of the UCF offense at the skill positions is going to make it a tough day for Pitt’s secondary to keep track of Davis, Dredrick Snelson (15 catches, 187 yards, touchdown) and Tre Nixon (11 catcher, 187 yards, two touchdowns).
They also can’t forget about what the athletic Milton can do with his feet. He’s rushed for 147 yards and three touchdowns this season, too.
Here’s safeties coach Corey Sanders, cornerback Damarri Mathis and linebacker Elijah Zeise had to say about Knights’ offensive attack:
