North Carolina State carves up Central Florida in Bitcoin Bowl

Jacoby Brissett threw for 262 yards and one touchdown and Matt Dayes scored on runs of 24 and 15 yards to help North Carolina State beat Central Florida, 34-27, on Friday night in the Bitcoin Bowl in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Brissett threw a 37-yard TD pass to Johnathan Alston to put the Wolfpack (8-5) ahead for good in the second quarter.

UCF (9-4) began the night ranked in the top 10 in fewest yards allowed per game, as well as pass efficiency, rushing and scoring defense. But the co-champions of the American Athletic Conference had no answers for Brissett and a supporting cast that amassed 488 yards of total offense.

La. Tech 35, Illinois 18 - Kenneth Dixon scored one of his two touchdowns on an 80-yard reception and Xavier Woods scored on a 69-yard interception return to help the Bulldogs (9-5) beat the Illini (6-7) in the Heart of Dallas Bowl.

Pat Narduzzi is the next man up at Pittsburgh.

The Panthers officially announced the longtime Michigan State defensive coordinator as their new coach. Narduzzi replaces Paul Chryst, who left Pitt last week after three seasons to become the coach at Wisconsin.

Narduzzi takes over a program looking to gain traction in the ACC. The Panthers are 6-6 heading into the Armed Forces Bowl against Houston on Jan. 2.

West Virginia senior quarterback Clint Trickett is retiring from football because of concussions and won't play in the Liberty Bowl on Monday against Texas A&M.

Trickett said Friday that he had endured five concussions over the last 14 months.

West Virginia coach Dana Holgorsen indicated that sophomore Skyler Howard would start at quarterback for the Mountaineers (7-5) against the Aggies (7-5).

Trickett completed 67.1 percent of his passes for 3,285 yards and 18 touchdowns with 10 interceptions. He hasn't played since being knocked out of a 26-20 loss to Kansas State on Nov. 20.

Georgia running back Todd Gurley informed coach Mark Richt that he plans to enter the NFL draft and will not return for his senior season. The 13th-ranked Bulldogs face No. 20 Louisville in the Belk Bowl on Tuesday.