Tulsa wide receiver Keenen Johnson runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
The Associated Press
TULSA, Okla. (AP) - Jacob Rainey kicked a 23-yard game-winning field goal late in the fourth quarter and Tulsa rallied past UCF, knocking off the two-time defending American Athletic Conference champs 34-31 Friday night.
The win was Tulsa's first in conference play.
The Golden Hurricanes (3-7, 1-5) stopped UCF on downs on the ensuing possession - a big third-down sack resulting in an incomplete pass by Dillon Gabriel on fourth-and-12. Tulsa ran out the final 87 seconds.
Dillon threw for 290 yards but was picked off twice and sacked six times for a loss of 36 yards.
Still, UCF (7-3, 4-2) led by as many as 11 points and was ahead 31-24 heading into the fourth quarter. Tulsa put together a 63-yard drive early in the final period, knotting the score on a Seth Boomer 17-yard TD pass to Sam Crawford Jr.
Reggie Robinson II intercepted Gabriel and returned it 23 yards to the 18, setting up Rainey's winning kick.
Tulsa was outgained in both passing and rushing yards but scored 10 points off turnovers.
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Central Florida wide receiver Tre Nixon (16) makes a reception as Tulsa safety Manny Bunch defends during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa safety Cristian Williams, right, tackles Central Florida running back Adrian Killins Jr. during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa cornerback Allie Green IV (12) and linebacker Zaven Collins tackle Central Florida running back Adrian Killins Jr. during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa linebacker Mitchell Kulkin (40) celebrates his open field tackle with linebacker Grant Sawyer during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa cornerback Reggie Robinson II (9) tackles Central Florida wide receiver Gabriel Davis during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson (15) puts pressure on Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa defensive end Trevis Gipson, left, hits Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa running back Shamari Brooks, center, is tackled by Central Florida linebacker Eric Mitchell, left, and defensive back Aaron Robinson during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa wide receiver Keenen Johnson makes a reception in front of Central Florida defensive back Jordan Hayes for a touchdown during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Tulsa running back Corey Taylor II (24) looks for a way around Central Florida defensive lineman Chris DeLoach during an NCAA college football game, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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Central Florida quarterback Dillon Gabriel (11) throws a pass during an NCAA college football game against Tulsa, Friday, Nov. 8, 2019 in Tulsa, Okla. (Brett Rojo/Tulsa World via AP)
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