ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- With Tropicana Field buzzing for the start of the Beef 'O' Brady's Bowl, Central Florida opened on offense to start the game.
The first two plays weren't ideal for Central Florida as Ball State's defense stopped running back Latavius Murray for one-yard losses on consecutive plays. But from there, Central Florida moved down the field and converted several first downs.
The drive ended with quarterback Blake Bortles finding Murray for an eight-yard touchdown pass to Murray for the game's first touchdown. The score put Central Florida ahead 7-0.
Ball State's offense went three-and-out quickly on its first possession and Central Florida got the ball back with excellent field position.
Central Florida moved down the field quickly and Murray scored his second touchdown of the game via a two-yard run. Ball State's Brandon Newman blocked the PAT and kept the Central Florida lead at 13-0.
On the second possession, Ball State's quarterback Keith Wenning continued to struggle in finding his receivers and missed on his first five attempts.
Score: Central Florida 13, Ball State 0
