Central Florida wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (4) catches a pass for a 50-yard touchdown in front of Florida International cornerback Brad Muhammad during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - McKenzie Milton threw for four touchdowns and 360 yards, and Central Florida routed Florida International 61-17 in Thursday night's season opener to spoil coach Butch Davis' return to the field for the first time since 2010.
Milton capped the opening drive with a 22-yard scoring pass to Jordan Atkins, and the Knights capitalized on an interception and a safety to lead 40-10 at halftime.
Milton was 16 of 21, with TD strikes of 50 and 3 yards to Tre'Quan Smith and 13 yards to Gabriel Davis before he and many other starters were pulled in the third quarter.
Four UCF rushers scored - Jawon Hamilton on a 16-yarder, Taj McGowan on a plunge, Cordarrian Richardson on a 10-yard run, and Greg McRae on a 6-yarder.
FIU's Alex McGough hit Thomas Owens on a 75-yard TD pass and Napoleon Maxwell scored on a 55-yard run. The Golden Panthers turned it over four times.
It was Davis' return to the sidelines after amassing a 79-43 collegiate head coaching record in 10 years at Miami (1995-2000) and North Carolina (2007-10).
Central Florida tight end Jordan Akins (88) is congratulated by teammates, including Wyatt Miller (78) and Gabriel Davis (13) after Akins caught a touchdown pass against Florida International during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida's Jordan Akins (88) falls over the goal line after catching a pass in front of Florida International cornerback Andrew Brown (3) for a 22-yard touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton, left, looks for a receiver as he is pressured by Florida International defensive lineman Fermin Silva (7) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Florida International wide receiver Thomas Owens, left, celebrates his catch on a 75-yard touchdown pass play against Central Florida with teammates Pharoah McKever, center, and Anthony Johnson (91) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Florida International quarterback Alex McGough (12) throws a pass against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Florida International coach Butch Davis motions to players on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida running back Jawon Hamilton (1) fumbles the ball as he is hit by Florida International cornerback Andrew Brown during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. Florida International recovered the fumble. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida linebacker Pat Jasinski (56) signals a safety against Florida International after running back Alex Gardner was stopped in the end zone by the Central Florida defense during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Florida International safety Shermarke Spence (26) runs past Central Florida offensive lineman Wyatt Miller (78) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida quarterback McKenzie Milton is sacked by Florida International linebacker Shakur Cooper, right, and defensive lineman Jermaine Sheriff, bottom, during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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