Miller: FIU is 'must-win' game
Offensive tackle Wyatt Miller feels UCF is on the verge of turning the corner.
A little more attention to detail, a play made here or there, and the Knights could easily be sitting at 2-1. Instead, a double-overtime loss to Maryland only magnifies the importance of Saturday's game at FIU. Though Scott Frost continues to emphasize a week-by-week mentality, UCF can't likely afford to enter conference play with a 1-3 record if they hope to attain bowl eligibility.
"This is a must win for us," Miller said. "We know how important it is. We have to go in there with that mindset, that this is a must win and we know what we have to do to go in there and accomplish it. We have to do the little things, execute and we'll be okay."
The offense rolled up 455 yards against Maryland and continues to accumulate big yards in the running game, but turnovers and penalties derailed scoring opportunities. Miller knows they've got to clean that up.
"We can tell it's getting close, especially when we put up big numbers like that," Miller said. "It shows it can be one block. That's all it is. One little thing we have to fix. That's what Coach Frost preaches, doing the little things right. We could be 3-0 or 2-1, whatever. If we do those little things right and keep progressing, we'll be all right. It does feel good to put up those big numbers, but we wanted to win."
A young offense got even younger last week when true freshman quarterback McKenzie Milton was promoted to starter following an injury to senior Justin Holman. Miller says he's been impressed by Milton from day one.
"I thought he was a playmaker for sure if you watched him during camp," Miller said. "He looks like Johnny Manziel out there making plays. Definitely turning heads. I think he made some plays the other night. He did a good job... He has his own playing style. I like it a lot. He makes plays with his feet. If we do something wrong, he can help us out and we can help him out. It works both ways. It's good to have somebody who can move.
"I think he handled it very well for his first start. He took us to two overtimes and made some good plays. He's got to fix some little things, but everybody does. But he's done a good job."
FIU is hungry for a win too after dropping three consecutive games to start the season against Indiana, Maryland and UMass.
"They're a good team," Miller said. "They're pretty quick. But I think if we do the little things and execute the game plan Coach Frost has for us, we'll be okay."
The game doesn't have any added personal significance for Miller, a Georgia native, but he recognizes it means a lot to the players from Miami and South Florida.
"Everybody is asking for tickets," Miller said. "Some of the kids on the team are talking about how they know them and whatnot. I guess you could say it's a rivalry game for some of the kids. I don't know anybody on the team. It's just another game for me, a faceless opponent. But for some of the kids it is. We're all pretty excited. We need to get a win."