Central Florida routs Alabama Birmingham, 42-7

Troy Davis returned an interception for a touchdown, Josh Robinson picked up a fumble for a score and a ball-hawking defense helped Central Florida roll to a 42-7 win over Alabama Birmingham on Wednesday night in Orlando, Fla.

Ronnie Weaver had 50 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and freshman quarterback Jeff Godfrey had 217 total yards in a strong Conference USA opener for the Knights (3-2, 1-0). But it was their defense that came up big in the nationally televised game.

Bryan Ellis was held to 149 yards passing with a touchdown and two interceptions for the Blazers (1-4, 0-2). He alternated at quarterback with David Isabelle, whose fumble put the game out of reach early.

The only football game of the night offered a rare stage for Central Florida to creep out of the shadows of the state’s traditional powerhouses — Florida, Florida State and Miami — and highlight its growing facilities, now home to the country’s third-largest student enrollment at more than 53,000. The school canceled classes scheduled to begin after noon and gave away tickets to students and faculty — even those at neighboring colleges — to try and fill the stadium with a black-and-gold clad crowd.

And the home team gave them a show.

Kemal Ishmael returned an interception of a pass by Ellis to the Blazers’ 27-yard line early in the first quarter. Three plays later, Weaver’s four-yard touchdown gave the Knights a 7-0 lead.

Etc.

The Bowl Championship Series standings will be released starting Oct. 17 on Sunday nights during ESPN’s new BCS Countdown show.

The 75-minute show will debut Sunday at 5:15 p.m. PDT and run through Dec. 5. The first 45 minutes of the show will be on ESPN. At 9 p.m., it will switch to ESPNU.

Doctors have amputated the right foot of Iowa defensive coordinator Norm Parker, who is battling complications from diabetes. That doesn’t mean he won’t be back for the Hawkeyes — maybe even this season.

Coach Kirk Ferentz said Wednesday that Parker’s foot was amputated about two weeks ago. It’s unlikely Parker will return for Iowa’s next game, against Michigan on Oct. 17, but he could be back by the end of the year.

Parker, 68, has not coached since he was hospitalized in early September. He was released last week and remains under the care of doctors.