EAST ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) – The University of Central Florida Knights entered their American Football Conference Championship Game with a potential Power 6 bowl game on the line. Either team–the Knights and Memphis Tigers–would end up in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl on New Year’s Day with a victory on Saturday.

In a game where both teams set an FCS record for points scored combined, both quarterbacks throwing for over 450 yards apiece, it was one play that was the difference in UCF’s 62-55 victory over the Tigers.

Tre Neal’s interception in the second overtime period gave the Knights an undefeated season and a potential Peach Bowl matchup on New Year’s Day. Running back Otis Anderson Jr. (119 yards rushing), scored the game-winning one-yard touchdown run on the UCF possession in the second overtime.

On a day where Spectrum Stadium was rocking from start to finish, the Peach Bowl selection committee was given a show by two of the top offenses in the country. They combined for 1481 yards, 15 combined touchdowns and 63 first downs.

McKenzie Milton, named the Conference Offensive Player of the Year earlier in the week, finished as the game’s Most Valuable Player. He finished 28 for 40 for 494 yards passing with five touchdown passes. He also added 65 rushing yards with a touchdown on the ground.

UCF opened the scoring by taking advantage of Memphis running back Darrell Henderson’s fumble on their territory. After the Shaquem Griffin recovery, Milton went to work and finished off the Knights’ opening drive by hitting Dredrick Snelson for a 24-yard touchdown. (Snelson finished with nine catches for 145 yards and two touchdowns.) He made an additional first quarter touchdown pass to tight end Jordan Akins to make the score 17-7 at the end of the opening quarter.

Milton started the game completing his first 15 passes of the game before being intercepted deep in Memphis territory midway through the second quarter. UCF’s opening four scoring drives did not last longer than two minutes and 25 seconds in the first half. Unfortunately for the Knights, Milton threw two of his three interceptions in the second quarter and Snelson’s lost fumble kept the Tigers in it as they led 31-24 at the half.

Memphis’s star quarterback Riley Ferguson would not be outdone by Milton. He went 30 for 42 for 471 yards and four touchdown passes of his own. He connected with star wide receiver Anthony Miller 14 times on the game for 195 yards and three touchdowns.

The Knights will wait for the College Football committee’s decision on their next game. Reports are leaning towards the Knights playing on New Year’s Day in Atlanta against an SEC team in the Peach Bowl.

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter:

• UCF – Snelson 24-yard touchdown catch from Milton – UCF 7-0
• UCF – Wright 31-yard field goal – UCF 10-0
• Memphis – Taylor Jr. rushing touchdown – UCF 10-7
• UCF – Akins 48-yard touchdown catch from Milton – UCF 17-7

2nd Quarter

• Memphis – Pollard 13-yard touchdown catch from Ferguson – UCF 17-14
• UCF – Smith 50-yard touchdown catch from Milton – UCF 24-14
• Memphis – Henderson 30-yard touchdown run – UCF 24-21
• Memphis – Miller 68-yard touchdown catch from Ferguson – Memphis 28-24
• Memphis – Patterson 27-yard field goal – Memphis 31-24

3rd Quarter:

• UCF – Milton 15-yard touchdown run – Game tied at 31
• Memphis – Patterson 22-yard field goal – Memphis 34-31
• UCF – Smith 34-yard touchdown catch from Milton – UCF 38-34
• UCF – Snelson 28-yard touchdown catch from Milton – UCF 45-34

4th Quarter:

• UCF – 54-yard field goal – UCF 48-34
• Memphis – Pollard 66-yard touchdown run – UCF 48-41
• Memphis – Miller 10-yard touchdown catch from Ferguson – Game tied at 48

Overtime:

• Memphis – Miller 15-yard touchdown catch from Ferguson – Memphis 55-48
• UCF – Killins 2-yard Touchdown Run – Game tied at 55
• UCF – Anderson 1-yard touchdown run – UCF 62-55

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Danny Thompson is a sports contributor for Florida National News. | info@floridanationalnews.com