Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Score, results, highlights from UCF vs. Auburn

Skylar Rolstad

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Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl: Score, results, highlights from UCF vs. Auburn image

LIVE: Central Florida vs. Auburn

The Central Florida Knights completed an undefeated season with a SCORE win over Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

Defense led the way for both teams, and Central Florida won the game by stopping Auburn from putting together what could have been the winning drive with two minutes left. Earlier in the game, Auburn forced a missed field goal that opened the door for its final drive.

McKenzie Milton was the Knights' hero offensively, throwing 16 for 35 with 242 yards and two touchdowns. Milton led UCF's resurgence in the second half by throwing two touchdowns to answer Auburn's two consecutive touchdowns to start the second half.  Auburn's offense couldn't match up with the Knights' scoring, but quarterback Jarrett Stidham threw 28 for 43 with 331 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Auburn's star running back Kerryon Johnson was held to 71 yards in 22 carries.

The Knights sent Scott Frost and his staff to Nebraska as a winner by completing the only unbeaten season in college football this year.

SN provided live updates from the Peach Bowl.

Central Florida vs. Auburn

4:35 p.m.: Interception! Central Florida is 24 seconds from perfection. Griffin hauled in the pick in the end zone. 

 

 

4:32 p.m.: Stidham scrambled to convert a third down. 40 seconds left.

4:29 p.m.: Stidham completes a pass to Hastings for a first down. Then, Hastings catches another pass and is tackled near midfield.

4:28 p.m.: The Knights' defense forces fourth down. The next play is the ball game.

4:26 p.m.: The kick is no good! Auburn has two minutes to put a tying or winning drive together. It needs 79 yards.

4:22 p.m.: The Knights face fourth down. Looks like they will kick.

4:19 p.m.: Milton completes a pass inside the 25. The Knights are going for the win, and are in scoring position again.

4:17 p.m.: UCF receives the kickoff and has a mission to burn some clock on the drive. Four minutes left.

4:14 p.m.: Touchdown, Auburn! Eli Stove scored on an 7-yard touchdown run. Auburn trails 34-27.

 

 

4:13 p.m.: Stidham scrambled for a few years and Auburn is now inside the 10 with five minutes left in the game.

4:10 p.m.: Targeting was called on UCF safety Tre Neal. He has been ejected from the game.

4:03 p.m.: Touchdown, UCF! Boom. Stidham threw an interception, and Chequan Burkett ran it back untouched for a touchdown.

 

 

4 p.m.: Auburn stays alive by blocking a field goal. That's huge from the defense. The Tigers need their offense to step up.

 

 

4 p.m.: Milton has recorded 100 rushing yards today.

 

 

3:54 p.m.: On the next play, Milton hits a receiver with a perfectly placed throw. The Knights are on the 15.

3:53 p.m.: Milton scrambled for a 23-yard gain. The Knights are near midfield.

3:48 p.m.: The UCF defense forced a three-and-out for the Tigers.

3:45 p.m.: Here's Milton's touchdown strike.

 

 

3:42 p.m.: Touchdown, UCF! Milton threw an 8-yard touchdown pass to Dredrick Snelson and Central Florida leads 27-20.

3:35 p.m.: This should be an exciting fourth quarter.

 

 

3:33 p.m.: The UCF fans are lit.

 

 

3:27 p.m.: Touchdown, UCF! Tied up again. Milton threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to Otis Anderson.

 

 

3:16 p.m.: Milton threw a pass near the sideline into double coverage. It was caught by an Auburn defender but ruled only an incompletion after review.

3:13 p.m.: The Knights are trying to move forward from their own 44.

3:03 p.m.: Touchdown, Auburn! Johnson goes four yards into the end zone. The Tigers lead 20-13.

 

 

3 p.m.: Auburn is rolling. Down to the 4-yard line.

2:51 p.m.: The game is now tied 13-13.

2:50 p.m.: There was also a targeting penalty called on the touchdown, but it was overturned after review.

2:45 p.m.: Touchdown, Auburn! Stidham hits Will Hastings for a 26-yard touchdown.

 

 

2:42 p.m.: Auburn starts the second half with a huge kickoff return.

2:22 p.m.: UCF added a 45-yard field goal to its lead just before half.

 

 

2:13 p.m.: Auburn is on the board again just before halftime. Daniel Carlson made a field goal and the Tigers now trail 10-6.

 

 

1:56 p.m.: Shaquem Griffin is making a huge impact in this game.

 

 

1:43 p.m.: Touchdown, UCF! Milton ran the ball 18 yards into the end zone. The Knights lead 10-3.

 

 

1:41 p.m.: UCF's turn to force a turnover. Stidham fumbled the ball.

1:37 p.m.: The Knights made a 33-yard field goal and we're all tied up.

 

 

1:33 p.m.: Milton broke off a long run to get UCF inside Auburn's 15-yard line.

1:27 p.m.: The Knights are inside Auburn's 40, finally getting some momentum going forward.

1:22 p.m.: Auburn tries to double the lead with a field goal attempt, but it's missed.

1:17 p.m.: It's a defensive battle through one quarter. Auburn leads 3-0.

 

 

1:01 p.m.: Auburn was held to a field goal. The Tigers take a 3-0 lead.

12:56 p.m.: Milton fumbled the snap and Auburn recorded the takeaway.

 

 

12:51 p.m.: This is a cool time lapse of the preceedings in Atlanta.

 

 

12:50 p.m.: The Knights forced a three-and-out and have the ball near midfield.

12:46 p.m.: Auburn has the ball after its defense forced UCF into a three-and-out.

12:41 p.m.: UCF starts with the ball after a touchback on the kickoff.

12:10 p.m.: Bringing 'em out. Just 20 minutes until the Peach Bowl.

 

 

11 a.m.: Scott Frost prepares for his last game as UCF head coach.

 

Skylar Rolstad