A pair of Knights were honored with national awards this week for stellar performances in the past week.
UCF runningback Latavius Murray was selected as the College Football Performance Awards National Running Back of the Week after he ripped through UTEP’s defense, racking up 233 rushing yards on just 21 carries (11.1 YPC).
He also scored three touchdowns to help the Knights end their season with a 31-14 victory. It was only Murray’s second start of the season for the Knights. Next season, Murray will compete for the starting tailback position with Brynn Harvey.
Murray is also in the running to win the Intersport National Running Back Performance of the Year, which lets the fans determine the best rushing performance of the year.
To vote for Murray, visit Facebook.com/AllStarFootball. Voting ends on Dec. 3, and the winner will be announced Feb. 3 on an All-Star Football Challenge special, which airs on ESPN2.
On the basketball side, junior Keith Clanton of the UCF men’s basketball team was named Conference-USA Player of the Week, after leading the Knights past No. 4 UConn and into the Championship in the Battle 4 Atlantis tournament.
UCF eventually lost to Harvard, 59-49, in the championship game, but Clanton was a standout in the tournament. He averaged 20 points, 9.3 rebounds and two assists per game in the tournament.
Clanton is UCF’s leading scorer and rebounder this season, averaging 18.2 points and nine boards per game.
The Knights snapped UConn’s 16-game winning streak by overcoming a 17-point second half deficit to win 68-63. Clanton shot four-of-five from long range and finished with 20 points and six rebounds.
UCF will be back in action this Saturday in Orlando against Hartford. Game time is set for 5 p.m.
