When Memphis and UCF met the first time this season six weeks ago, the Tigers raced out to a 30–14 lead behind a punishing running game and looked to threaten the nation’s longest winning streak.
But the Knights stormed back to win, scoring 17 unanswered behind McKenzie Milton’s 296 passing yards and a stifling defensive effort that held Memphis scoreless in the second half.
On Saturday in the AAC championship game, faced with almost the same scenario but with a backup quarterback, UCF again fought back from a big halftime deficit and beat Memphis 56–41 to win its 25th straight game and clinch another berth in a New Year’s Six bowl.