ORLANDO, Fla. _ Through its 24-game winning streak, UCF has answered countless challenges.
Through thick and thin, through double-digit deficits and debilitating injuries, the Knights have taken everyone's best shot and somehow, someway survived.
Even when faced with its biggest challenge to date: down 17 points to Memphis in the American Athletic Conference Championship Game Saturday and without their star quarterback McKenzie Milton, the Knights somehow, someway mounted an epic comeback and beat the Tigers, 56-41.
"This group handles adversity better than any group that I've been around," UCF coach Josh Heupel told the ABC broadcast team after the win. " ... This is a championship team."
Backup quarterback Darriel Mack Jr. scored six total touchdowns in just his second career start as No. 8 UCF outscored Memphis 35-3 in the second half to remain undefeated and capture its second consecutive conference championship.
Things didn't look so good for the Knights at the start.
Memphis recovered a Mack fumble at UCF's 27-yard line and two plays later, running back Darrell Henderson rumbled in from 12 yards out for another touchdown to push the lead to 14-0.
UCF rebounded on its next possession, with the Knights driving 65 yards on a drive capped by a 14-yard touchdown run by Greg McCrae that sliced into the lead to 14-7.
But those good feelings didn't last long as Tigers running back Patrick Taylor outraced the UCF defense, scoring on a 72-yard touchdown run that pushed the Memphis back ahead 21-7 midway through the first quarter.
Mack moved the UCF offense downfield on the next possession, but he was pressured on a third-and-five and fumbled the football away for the second time.
Memphis drove down to the UCF 19-yard line before settling for a 36-yard field goal by Riley Patterson that extended the Tigers' lead to 24-7.
UCF put together its best offensive possession of the game, driving 72 yards before Mack took it upon himself to rush six yards in for the score. But as he dove into the end zone, he was hit and the ball flipped out. Tight end Michael Colubiale eventually recovered the football for the UCF touchdown.
Henderson once again delivered a crushing blow for Memphis, this time scoring an 81-yard touchdown run on the second play of the Tigers' next possession. It extended Memphis' lead to 31-14 with 11:24 left in the first half.
Henderson racked up 166 yards and three touchdowns on just six carries at that point.
UCF cut the lead to 31-21 with just under three minutes left in the first half after the Knights drove 90 yards before Mack would loft a pass to redshirt sophomore Jake Hescock in the back of the end zone for a four-yard score. It was Mack's first career touchdown and it cut the lead to 10.
After the score, Heupel paced the sidelines waving his hands into the air trying to get the crowd amped up for the defense.
But after the Knights forced a three-and-out, Otis Anderson fumbled the punt and Memphis took over at the UCF 31-yard line. Five plays later, Henderson took the snap out of the Wildcat formation and lofted a four-yard pass to Sean Dykes that extended the lead to 38-21.
As they have all season, the Knights regrouped at halftime and won the pivotal third quarter.
UCF took the second-half kickoff and drove to its own 46-yard line before Mack connected with Otis Anderson down the left side for a 54-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 38-28 with 12 minutes left in the third quarter.
After forcing a three-and-out, Anderson gave the Knights a spark, returning a punt 43 yards into Memphis territory. Mack did the rest, diving into the end zone for four-yard touchdown that cut the lead to 38-35.
Memphis added a field goal to extend the lead to 41-35 but Mack once again stepped up after leading UCF on a long drive, finding the end zone on a two-yard touchdown run that gave the Knights the first lead of the game at 42-41.
UCF then hit the gas and never looked back, shutting out the Tigers while extending their lead in front of a raucous crowd.
Amid the No. 10 jerseys and leis honoring Milton, television cameras captured his mom streaming the closing seconds of the game and jubilant postgame celebration for her son via FaceTime.
The Knights remain perfect and will wait to learn their bowl fate Sunday.
Thanks to a weaker strength of schedule, most expect UCF to earn a bid in a New Year's Six Access Bowl rather than claiming a playoff semifinal bid and a chance to play for a national title.
Heupel was asked what he would like to say to the selection committee.
He told the ABC broadcast team, "You look at what this program's done for two straight years. This team's got the heart of a champion. They deserve to go prove it on the field."
