GLENDALE, Ariz., Jan. 2 (UPI) -- Blake Bortles and Storm Johnson teamed for more than 500 yards Wednesday, sending Central Florida to a shocking 52-42 win over Baylor in the Fiesta Bowl.
The Knights turned the ball over three times in the first half and still totaled seven touchdowns against the fifth-ranked team in the nation. Bortles and Johnson had a part in all seven.
Baylor led major college football in points (53.25) and yards (624.5) per game, but could not keep pace with Central Florida, winner of the American Athletic Conference title. The Knights finished the season at 12-1, losing only to South Carolina on Sept. 28. They won their final eight games of the season.
Bortles threw for 301 yards and ran for 93 more. He had three touchdown passes and ran for another. Johnson rushed for 124 yards in 20 carries and scored three times.
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The Knights took a quick 14-0 lead and were in front 28-20 at halftime. Baylor came back to tie it at 28-28 in the third period, but Central Florida then produced consecutive touchdowns on a 10-yard pass from Bortles to Breshad Perriman and a 15-yard run by Bortles.
Baylor could not catch up and wound up surrendering 10 more points than they had in any other game this season. The Bears gave up 42 points to West Virginia, but also scored 73 against the Mountaineers.
The Bears still had a chance when Glasco Martin scored on a 9-yard run with 12:16 remaining to close their deficit to 42-35.
Central Florida, however, quickly went 75 yards in four plays with Johnson scoring on a 40-yard run that boosted the Kings in front by 14. When Baylor was forced to punt on its next possession, the game was all but over.
Baylor quarterback Bryce Petty completed 30-of-47 passes for 356 yards and two touchdowns.
The teams combined 1,107 yards and 52 first downs in a game that took more than four hours to complete.
Central Florida's offensive rampage came after they managed a combined 40 points in their final two games against lightly-regarded South Florida and SMU. The Knights won those two contests by a total of seven points.
