Jacorius Cotton knocked away a potential game-winning two-point conversion on the last play of the game as No. 22 Southern Mississippi survived a wild fourth quarter to edge visiting Central Florida 30-29 on Saturday.

The Golden Eagles (9-1, 5-1 Conference USA), who are off to their best 10-game start since they also were 9-1 in 1996, have won eight in a row.

Southern Mississippi went ahead on Austin Davis' 4-yard touchdown pass to Chris Briggs with 5:52 remaining. The ensuing two-point conversion made it 30-23.

Central Florida (4-6, 2-4) recovered a Southern Mississippi fumble at its own 11 with 2:47 remaining and drove to the Southern Mississippi 25 when redshirt freshman quarterback Blake Bortles threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Worton as time expired.

The Knights went for the win, but Bortles' pass intended for Adam Nissley in the back of the end zone was knocked away by Cotton.

Davis passed for a season-high 366 yards and two touchdowns, while All-American kicker Danny Hrapmann tied a career-high with five field goals.

Bortles, who replaced starter Jeff Godfrey and played the entire second half, completed 24-of-34 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns.