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Associated Press

UCF's Smith scores 4 TDs, rushes for 170 vs. Tulsa 

ORLANDO - It took a week for UCF running back Kevin Smith to return to his usual self.

After a season-low 55 yards against then-No. 5 USF on Oct. 13, the junior had 170 yards on 33 carries with four touchdowns in the Golden Knights' 44-23 win against Tulsa on Saturday.

"You can't say enough about Kevin Smith with some of the runs he ripped off today," coach George O'Leary said. "I don't think I'm going to turn around and promote him for the Heisman - I'll let (the media) do that, but I think it hurt him (in the Heisman race) not having a good game against South Florida."

Smith entered the game the nation's fifth-leading rusher with 108.1 yards per game. He had a 13-yard score in the second quarter and a 15-yard touchdown reception on the next drive. The reception was the junior's first career receiving touchdown. He added a 4-yard score in the third and a 44-yard scamper in the fourth.

Smith moved past former UCF running back Willie English to second in career rushing touchdowns (30) and rushing yards (3,197) in program history. He also surpassed 1,000 yards for the season and picked up his 15th career 100-plus yard rushing game.

"I thought we played and executed our plan early: knocking down the run with Kevin Smith," Tulsa coach Todd Graham said. "They were the better football team. They made the plays."

Tulsa struck first as Paul Smith hit receiver Jesse Meyer for a 7-yard score. UCF quickly tied it when quarterback Kyle Israel scrambled for a 22-yard touchdown. He opened the game going 8-for-8 for 52 yards and finished 21-for-29 for 224 yards.

The Golden Knights' interception in the third was their first takeaway since Sept. 15 against then-No. 6 Texas, a span of 18 quarters.

Winston-Salem 14, Bethune-Cookman 9: Monte Purvis passed for a touchdown while directing two scoring drives for the Rams' first win against the host Wildcats. B-CU lost its fourth straight. Purvis, whose TD pass was a 14-yarder to Bryant Bayne, threw for 96 yards and ran for 72. After a scoreless first quarter, B-CU's Lucas Esquivel kicked a 47-yard field goal - the longest of his career. The Rams came back on their next possession as Roderick Fluellen's 7-yard run finished a 42-yard, six-play drive, set up by David Irizarry's 50-yard kickoff return. The Rams padded their lead midway through the third quarter. On fourth down at the Bethune-Cookman 14, Purvis threw to Bayne, completing an 81-yard drive that gave the Rams a 14-3 edge.

[Last modified October 20, 2007, 22:48:50]