ORLANDO, Fla. >> Injured UCF QB McKenzie Milton is helping the Knights prepare for the American Athletic Conference Championship Game against Memphis, joining quarterback meetings via FaceTime and talking regularly with his position coach.

Milton suffered a major leg injury during the first half of UCF’s win over USF Friday and has been receiving treatment for nerve damage and a dislocated knee at Tampa General Hospital.

The hospital stay and grueling recovery process has not prevented Milton from staying in close contact with his teammates, who he calls his brothers.

“I have not experienced anything like that,” UCF quarterbacks coach Jeff Lebby said today of Milton’s commitment to helping the team prepare to beat Memphis. “He called first thing this morning. At 6:30 a.m., we FaceTimed. We talked about practice the day before. We talked for a few minutes. He had a couple of things going on this morning, so he wasn’t able to be on FaceTime, but he’ll be on at 4:30 this afternoon.

“Love it. He’s going to be part of the group, obviously. That’s going to be forever and ever. It’s been good for him, I think, staying in tune.”

UCF was ranked No. 8 in the latest College Football Playoff rankings and is riding the nation’s longest win streak that spans 24 games. It is the second consecutive time the Knights have faced the Tigers in the AAC title game.

Darriel Mack Jr., who has a close connection with Milton, has taken over running the offense. Mack, like the rest of the Knights, have said they are committed to winning the championship for Milton.