ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - Latavius Murray rushed for a career-high 233 yards and scored three times to help Central Florida rout Texas-El Paso 31-14 on Friday night in the season finale for both teams.
Murray, a junior tailback, scored on runs of 38 and 40 yards and caught a 6-yard pass from freshman quarterback Blake Bortles as the Knights (5-7, 3-5 Conference USA) stopped a three-game losing streak.
UTEP avoided a shutout with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. Jordan Leslie caught a 2-yard pass from Nick Lamaison on a fourth-and-goal play and Joe Banyard added a 7-yard scoring run.
The Miners (5-7, 2-6) needed a win to become bowl eligible.
UCF led 24-0 after its most dominating first-half performance of the season. Murray had 98 yards rushing and two touchdowns by halftime and the Knights' defense limited UTEP to five first downs and 94 yards total offense in the first two quarters.
