Freshman Jeff Godfrey was efficient, the Central Florida defense was stingy, and it all added up to a Conference USA championship.

Godfrey threw for a touchdown and the Knights shut down Southern Methodist in a 17-7 victory in the C-USA title game Saturday in Orlando.

The victory gave the Knights their second conference title since 2005.

Godfrey threw a five-yard touchdown pass to Latavius Murray midway through the first quarter to give Central Florida (10-3) a 7-0 lead.

Godfrey completed 15-of-19 passes for 167 yards and did not turn the ball over. Murray rushed for 91 yards on 20 carries and added a 36-yard touchdown jaunt in the third quarter that gave the Knights a 17-0 lead. That was plenty considering the way their defense played.

SMU (7-6) scored its lone touchdown with just over nine minutes to play on a 22-yard pass from Kyle Padron to Aldrick Robinson.

Padron was intercepted twice and sacked seven times by the Knights. He completed 18-of-35 passes for 223 yards.