Orlando, FL -- (Sports Network) - Tailback Kevin Smith carried the ball 39 times for 284 yards and four scores to lead the UCF Knights to a 44-25 win over the Tulsa Golden Hurricane in the Conference USA title game at Bright House Networks Stadium.

Kyle Israel paced the UCF (10-3) air attack by completing 6-of-13 passes for 128 yards.

Tulsa (9-4) was led by quarterback Paul Smith, who completed 28-of-55 pass attempts for 426 yards and three touchdowns.

The Golden Knights opened up the scoring with a 28-yard field goal from Michael Torres, giving them an early 3-0 lead.

UCF made it a 10-0 game midway through the first quarter when Joe Burnett returned a Tulsa punt 83 yards for a score.

Tulsa answered the call late in the first quarter, when Paul Smith found Charles Clay from 22 yards out to make it a 10-7 game.

The Golden Hurricane took the lead minutes later, when Paul Smith threw an eight-yard strike to Jake Collums. A missed extra point gave Tulsa a 13-10 advantage.

The Knights regained the lead on the opening drive of the second quarter when Kevin Smith rumbled in from three yards out to make it a 17-13 contest.

Kevin Smith extended the Knights' lead to 24-13 on a 46-yard scamper with just over 10 minutes left in the first half.

Tulsa rebounded on its next possession when Paul Smith found Trae Johnson from 27 yards out to cut the UCF lead to 24-20.

UCF added another score late in the second quarter on a four-yard run from Kevin Smith.

Tulsa responded on its final possession of the half when Jarod Tracy drilled a 32-yard field goal to make it a 31-23 game at the break.

The Knights got back on the board late in the third quarter, when Torres nailed a 21-yard field goal.

Torres added another field goal in the final seconds of the third period, giving the Knights a 37-23 lead heading into the fourth quarter.

Tulsa forced a safety early in the fourth quarter to make it a 37-25 game.

UCF put the nail in the coffin midway through the fourth quarter, when Kevin Smith bounced off tackle for a 74-yard score to give the Knights a 44-25 victory.

Kevin Smith, the nation's leading rusher, has posted 2,164 yards, moving into second place all-time behind Barry Sanders (2,628) for single season rushing yards.

The victory improves the Knights' current winning streak to a program-best seven games and guarantees them an invitation to the AutoZone Liberty Bowl on December 29th.