ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) _ Omari Howard ran for two touchdowns and Vic Penn accounted for two scores as Central Florida held off Division I-AA Eastern Illinois 31-21 Saturday night.

Penn's 7-yard pass to Kenny Clark pulled Central Florida (1-4) into a 7-7 tie, and Howard's scoring runs of 2 and 14 yards helped build a 21-7 halftime lead.

Eastern Illinois (1-4), limited to Frank Cutolo's 80-yard punt return 2:03 into the game, closed to 24-14 by driving 91 yards in 10 plays after forcing Howard's fumble at the 7. Wayne Brown completed the drive with a 7-yard run that made it 24-14.

Eastern Illinois tried an onside kick but Central Florida recovered and then drove 45 yards in eight plays, scoring on Penn's 1-yard run.

Eastern Illinois answered by going 67 yards in seven plays, with Tony Romo's 2-yard pass to Scott Gilkey making it 31-21 with 2:18 to play.

Another onside kick attempt failed and Central Florida ran out the clock.