ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) --Freshman Latavius Murray scored two touchdowns to help Central Florida defeat South Carolina State 17-0 on Saturday.
Daren Daly added a 27-yard field goal for UCF, which recorded a shutout for the first time since a season-ending 31-0 win over Louisiana-Lafayette in 2001.
Murray was one of three freshman running backs who had carries as UCF searches for a successor to All-American Kevin Smith. Ronnie Weaver led the Knights (1-0) with 23 carries for 84 yards and Murray finished with 43 yards on 11 carries.
Quarterback Michael Greco had 57 yards on 13 rushes and completed 9-of-16 passes for 90 yards.
South Carolina State had just five first downs and was only 2-for-11 on third-down situations. Quarterback Malcolm Long completed 11-of-21 passes for 74 yards and one interception.
Murray's first touchdown ended a nine-play, 40-yard drive that began when UCF safety Jason Venson picked off Long at the Bulldogs' 40.
Eight of UCF's nine plays on the drive were on the ground. A Greco scramble gave UCF a third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, and Murray barged in from there.
Murray had his final six carries on a 12-play, 62-yard drive that sealed the game. He scored on a 7-yard run with 3:15 left in the game.
