UCF 45, UAB 31

11/10/2007 10:46 PM

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) -Kevin Smith carried 41 times for 320 yards and four touchdowns to lead Central Florida to a 45-31 victory over UAB Saturday night.

Smith, a junior from Miami, shattered his previous career high of 223 yards, set earlier this season against Louisiana-Lafayette. He had scoring runs of 2, 3, 8 and 41 yards and set a single game school rushing record.

Smith broke UCF's single season rushing record with a 20-yard run in the first quarter.

UCF (7-3, 5-3 CUSA) won its fourth game in a row. The Golden Knights claimed sole possession of first place in the east division of Conference USA with the help of Marshal's 26-7 victory over East Carolina.

Backup quarterback Joseph Webb completed 15-of-25 passes for 156 yards and three touchdowns to lead UAB (2-8, 1-5). Starting quarterback Sam Hunt was the Blazers leading rusher with 79 yards on seven carries. Frantrell Forrest caught six passes for 71 yards and one touchdown.

Jake Howard's 44-yard field goal gave UCF a 3-0 lead, but UAB responded with a 67-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard scoring run by Hunt.

Smith put UCF back in front with a 2-yard touchdown run. But a 27-yard pass from Webb to Forrest gave UAB a 14-10 lead after one quarter.

A 3-yard touchdown run by Smith gave UCF the lead. But a 30-yard field goal by Swayze Waters in the final minute of the first half made in 17-17 at halftime.

On the second play of the second half, UCF's Joe Burnett intercepted a Hunt pass and returned it 21 yards to the UAB 21-yard-line. Smith scored on an 8-yard run to give the Golden Knights a 24-17 lead.

UAB answered with a 64-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard scoring pass from Webb to Mario Wright.

But a 51-yard run by backup tailback Curtis Francis gave UCF a 31-24 lead and the Knights did not lose the lead.

A four-yard pass from Kyle Israel to Rocky Ross gave UCF a 38-24 lead with 7;59 left. UAB closed to within 38-31 on a four-yard pass from Webb to Jeffrey Anderson with 2:12 left. The Blazers tried an onside kick, but UCF recovered and two plays later Smith raced 41 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.