Despite 'traumatic' injury, UCF QB McKenzie Milton helps team prepare

ORLANDO, Fla. – Injured UCF star quarterback McKenzie Milton is helping his teammates prepare for their upcoming conference title game, even as he recovers from a "traumatic" leg injury in the hospital.

Milton's mother, Teresa Milton, tweeted Tuesday morning that her son was online, assisting his fellow Knights with their preparation for Memphis.

UCF and Memphis play Saturday at Spectrum Stadium for the American Athletic Conference championship. Redshirt freshman Darriel Mack Jr. will start at quarterback for the Knights.

Teresa Milton also said her son is in good spirits and has overcome some obstacles in his recovery.

Sources told News 6 sports anchor Jamie Seh that Milton suffered a dislocated knee when he was hit during Friday's game against rival USF. An MRI will determine the extent of potential further damage to Milton's leg, sources said.

UCF beat USF 38-10 to finish its regular season at 11-0. The Knights have the nation's longest winning streak at 23 games.

In a show of support for Milton, who's from Hawaii, UCF said Tuesday that it will hand out leis to fans at Saturday's championship game.

"We’re here to help a movement started by Knight Nation. 40,000 leis will be distributed at Spectrum Stadium on Saturday before the American Championship #10hana," the school tweeted.

UCF head coach Josh Heupel said Monday that he visited his star QB at the hospital after the win over USF.

When asked what message he delivered to Milton, Heupel said, "I love him, and this is a hurdle that's been placed before him, and I know he's going to leap it and jump over it. We're going to take it one day at a time, and he'll be better for it, too. It's hard to see it now, but we'll look back and see that."

Heupel said Milton appreciates all the prayers from UCF Nation.

Watch News 6 for more UCF football news.