Central Florida running back C.J. Jones, bottom center, is stopped by the Connecticut defense on the 1-yard line during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - It may or may not be a rivalry game, but UConn made Saturday's game with Central Florida a definite streak-buster as the Huskies smashed the Knights 40-13 in an American Athletic Conference contest.
Bryan Shirreffs threw for 256 yards and a touchdown and ran for another, and Arkeel Newsome rushed for two more scores as the Huskies (3-3 1-1) snapped a three-game losing streak while keeping the Knights (0-6, 0-2) winless.
During the offseason, UConn coach Bob Diaco experienced some Internet backlash for attempting to upgrade this two-game series into a full-fledged rivalry, even creating a trophy that sat on the Huskies' sidelines. UCF wanted no part of the rivalry, saying its official rivalry is with nearby South Florida.
The injury-riddled UCF offense - the Knights entered the game ranked 127th in the nation in total offense - kept the game from being closely competitive. Justin Holman, who was released by doctors last week after breaking a finger on his throwing hand against Stanford, was picked off three times and had numerous passes dropped, while the running game managed just 60 yards.
Meanwhile, Shirreffs posted his fourth 200-yard passing game in his first six career starts despite being sacked five times. He also took advantage of the short field set up by UCF turnovers - three Huskies scoring drives started within the UCF 35.
Shirreffs generated two scores in the final 57 seconds of the first half that helped the Huskies turn a 9-3 lead into a 22-3 advantage. Shirreffs plowed in on a one-yard keeper two plays after Jhavon Williams' 19-yard interception put the ball on the UCF 9, then, after an Obi Melifonwu interception, Shirreffs connected with Noel Thomas for a 16-yard touchdown with 49 seconds left in the half.
Ron Johnson and Newsome (84 yards on 13 carries) scored in the third quarter as the Huskies, who had only averaged 15.8 points per game coming into Saturday, extended their lead to 40-3. Newsome's touchdown was set up when Ellis Marder recovered a fumbled punt return on the UCF 16.
The Knights took a 3-0 lead on Matthew Wright's 19-yard field goal on the game's first possession, but managed just 56 total yards of offense the rest of the first half.
UCF's struggles were best summarized after Newsome's 5-yard touchdown gave UConn a 7-3 lead with 6:02 remaining. On the ensuing kickoff, UCF returner Hayden Jones ran one yard out of the end zone, then stepped back into the end zone and took a knee, resulting in a safety.
Holman finished 27 of 50 for 255 yards with an 11-yard touchdown to Nick Patti with 1:38 remaining.
Central Florida quarterback Justin Holman, left, looks for a receiver as he is rushed by Connecticut linebacker Luke Carrezola (15) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut cornerback Jhavon Williams (6) runs with the ball past Central Florida wide receiver Tre'Quan Smith (80) and offensive lineman Tyler Hudanick (72) after intercepting a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida defensive back Shaquill Griffin, back left, breaks up a pass intended for Connecticut tight end Alec Bloom (86) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida head coach George O'Leary directs his players on the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Connecticut, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut head coach Bob Diaco has words with an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (4) takes off on a 21-yard run against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida wide receiver Jordan Franks, right, runs past Connecticut safety Junior Lee, left, after a reception during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut offensive lineman Richard Levy (71) signals a touchdown as quarterback Bryant Shirreffs dives in the pile on a quarterback sneak for a score against Central Florida during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida wide receiver Cam Stewart, right, dives for a pass as Connecticut cornerback Jhavon Williams (6) tries to defend during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida running back C.J. Jones, bottom center, is stopped by the Connecticut defense on the 1-yard line during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut running back Arkeel Newsome (22) scores a touchdown on a 5-yard run past Central Florida linebacker Pat Jasinski (56) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Central Florida quarterback Justin Holman warms up before an NCAA college football game against Connecticut, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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Connecticut quarterback Bryant Shirreffs (4) warms up before an NCAA college football game against Central Florida, Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, in Orlando, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
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