UCF vs. SMU 2013 final score: Strong second half powers Knights to bowl season

It was the coldest game that Central Florida had played in school history, with temperatures about 24 degrees. The exercise bike on the sideline was frozen solid. The net behind the field goal posts? Frozen solid. The UCF offense in the first half? Frozen solid with only three points for the Knights.

Coming out of halftime, the Knights went to an up-tempo attack that netted them two touchdowns in the third quarter, and it powered them to victory. A missed field goal with 2:20 left in the fourth quarter put a little bit of fear into fans of the fans of the Knights, but a solid defensive possession forced an SMU turnover on downs.

UCF quarterback Blake Bortles scored both UCF touchdowns on the ground, with a one-yard plunge and a 15-yard scamper accounting for both Knights touchdowns. Neal Burcham, SMU quarterback, threw the only touchdown pass of the day with a 30-yard completion to Keenan Holman in the second quarter

Box Score Hero: UCF quarterback Blake Bortles: 24-of-35 for 242 yards and two rushing touchdowns

Rankings Ramifications: UCF will probably stick around 15th in the BCS rankings.

But Did They Cover? Central Florida came into the game as 14-point favorites. They did not cover the spread

Next Week’s Schedule: Both teams will be awaiting word on where they will play their bowl games. UCF will be playing in the Fiesta Bowl against a Big 12 opponent.

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