MEMPHIS, Tenn. -- Paxton Lynch threw for 232 yards with two touchdowns and rushed for two more as Memphis defeated South Florida 31-20 on Saturday.

Lynch's two rushing scores and his 42-yard strike to Mose Frazier helped the Tigers move out to a 21-13 halftime lead. Lynch found Brandon Hayes for an 11-yard touchdown to extend the lead in the third quarter.

With today's 31-20 win over USF, the Tigers are only 1 win away from clinching a share of the conference championship

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Nov 11, 2014 at 4:32pm PST

Hayes finished with 189 yards on 21 carries. His long of 47 came on his first touch. Frazier had three receptions for 82 yards for Memphis (8-3, 6-1 American).

Marlon Mack rushed for 102 yards on 16 carries, including a 75-yard touchdown to open the second quarter that pulled the Bulls (4-7, 3-4) within four. Lynch answered with his TD pass to Frazier.

Mike White threw for 244 yards on 21-of-35 passing. Steven Bench relieved White and threw a 9-yard touchdown pass to Andre Davis on USF's final drive.