Memphis, TN (Sports Network) - Latavius Murray ran for 192 yards and two touchdowns as the UCF Knights defeated the Memphis Tigers, 35-17, in Conference USA action at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium.
Murray carried the ball 23 times for a UCF (5-2, 3-0 CUSA) squad that generated 229 yards on the ground in their third win in as many games. Blake Bortles converted 15-of-26 passes for 122 yards and two more touchdowns as well.
The Tigers (1-6, 1-2), losers of two straight, ran for a collective 240 yards and a touchdown on 45 attempts, while Jacob Karam connected on 20-of-28 passes for 121 yards and an interception in the setback.
Murray recorded a pair of rushing touchdowns in the first quarter measuring one and 83 yards to give the visitors a 14-0 advantage.
In the second frame the Tigers fought back with 10 points of their own thanks to a 34-yard field goal by Tyler Spurlock and a 27-yard fumble return for a touchdown by Robert Steeples to cut their deficit to four points at the break.
The Knights ripped off three straight touchdowns in the second half, beginning with a 29-yard TD toss from Bortles to J.J. Worton and continuing with a 79- yard fumble return for a score by A.J. Bouye. Late in the fourth quarter UCF made the score 35-10 when Bortles hooked up with Justin Tukes on a six-yard scoring strike.
Mounting a 12-play, 57-yard drive in the final minutes, Memphis responded with a one-yard TD run by Karam but by then it was too late.
Memphis, which entered the week ranked 115th in the nation in total offense with 288.2 ypg, generated 361 yards on the night, but converted just 4-of-16 on third down opportunities.
Game Notes
