Latavius Murray rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns and caught another score as Central Florida rolled past Southern Methodist 42-17 Saturday night.
Quarterback Blake Bortles also accounted for three touchdowns — two through the air and one on the ground — to help the Knights (7-2, 5-0) secure their fifth straight victory and remain on track to host the Conference USA championship game.
SMU (4-5, 3-2), which entered with the league’s top-rated rushing defense, fell back under .500 and deeper behind West Division-leading Tulsa.
The Mustangs briefly closed within four points in the second quarter, but never found consistency on either side of the ball.
After posting a career passing effort in last week’s win over Memphis, SMU quarterback Garrett Gilbert was sacked three times and never got into a rhythm.