UCF strengthens hold on C-USA lead
October 29, 2006
HOUSTON (AP)—Jackie Battle rushed for two touchdowns in the last eight minutesand Houston scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to beat CentralFlorida 51-31 Saturday.
Battle rushed for 70 yards and three touchdowns overall, part of a 230-yardrushing effort for Houston (6-3, 4-1 Conference USA). Anthony Alridge led theCougars with 133 yards on nine carries.
Kevin Smith rushed 31 times for 163 yards and three touchdowns for CentralFlorida (2-6, 1-3). Five seconds into the fourth quarter, he ran for an 11-yardtouchdown to tie the score at 31.
The Cougars took about three minutes to take back the lead. Kevin Kolb foundVincent Marshall for an 8-yard touchdown, capping off a seven-play drive.
Battle put Houston up two touchdowns at the 7:53 mark, scoring on a 1-yardrun that capped off a nine-play, 49-yard drive. He added a four-yard run with1:29 left in the game.
The teams combined for 1,046 total offensive yards: 530 from Central Floridaand 516 from Houston.
The Golden Knights hurt themselves with penalties—eight for 70 yards—andturnovers. They threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, including one onthe 4-yard line that led to Battle’s final touchdown.