ESPN College Football

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Stephen Moffett accounted for three scores, Kevin Smith scored a 2-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, and the Central Florida defense held off a late Houston drive to preserve a 31-29 win on Saturday night.

The Cougars (5-3, 3-2 Conference USA) climbed to within two points on a 76-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Kolb to Donnie Avery with 6:12 left in the game.

Houston then took possession after a nine play Central Florida drive that shaved 4:22 off the clock, but Kolb was sacked and tossed three incomplete passes, giving up the ball on downs.

Smith ran for 93 yards on 29 carries for Central Florida (6-3, 5-1), while quarterback Stephen Moffett completed 21-of-30 passes for 278 yards and two first-half touchdowns. Moffett's 13-yard run with 8:40 left in the third quarter gave Central Florida a 24-10 lead.

Houston missed a chance to tie the game at 24 when Ernest Miller was stopped on a two-point conversion attempt after a 2-yard touchdown run by Ryan Gilbert.

Kolb threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns, including the long strike to Avery and a 54-yard pass to Anthony Alridge in the second quarter.

With the win, Central Florida becomes bowl-eligible with road games remaining against UAB and Rice. Central Florida has never been to a Division I bowl.