Martinsburg High School alumnus Hudson Clement pulls in a pass from quarterback Garrett Greene against University of Central Florida at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday. David Pennock

MORGANTOWN — It rained on both teams. It was cold and uncomfortable for both teams.

But the raw and dank weather conditions were shiny and bright for one team — and that team was West Virginia University after the Mountaineers defeated the University of Central Florida, 31-21, on Saturday in Morgantown’s encroaching darkness to become bowl eligible again (with a 6-5 record). The announced crowd of 40,722 gathered in the rainy and nasty conditions (46 degrees and a wind at eight miles per hour) and was treated to an early 14-0 West Virginia lead that ballooned to 28-7, before the Golden Knights made their in-vain comeback attempt. Central Florida left town cold and miserable and with a 4-7 record.

Even with its losing record, Central Florida entered the day with the conference’s best rushing offense and best rushing defense. But WVU disregarded most of those statistical facts by running of 75 plays as compared to the visitors 55 plays. And the Mountaineers played keep away by showing over 37 minutes of possession time to UCF’s tiny 22 minutes of possession.

Although the difference was not a glaring one, the Mountaineers ran for 205 yards and UCF had only 176 ground yards.

The Mountaineers also only drew two penalties in winning on Senior Day. The Golden Knights committed the game’s only turnover.

Running back Jahiem White is pulled down by the University of Central Florida's defenders, during West Virginia University's victory game at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday. David Pennock

Anthony Wilson, Jr. led WVU’s defense with his 10 tackles, while CJ Donaldson rushed for 96 yards and Hudson Clement had five pass receptions for 81 yards.

In stinging the Golden Knights, West Virginia actually snapped a three-game losing skid at Puskar Stadium and finished with a 3-4 record at home for the season. The Mountaineers will complete the regular season and then await news of where they will go bowling some time after tomorrow’s game at conference rival Texas Tech.

The Mountaineers have now qualified for a bowl trip for the fourth time in six years.

The Big 12 Conference has tie-ins with six bowls in addition to the newly expanded College Football Playoff system which will take 12 teams to its play-for-the-national-championship tournament.

The Duke’s Mayonnaise Bowl was WVU’s bowl destination following last season’s 8-4 record. North Carolina fell hard to the Mountaineers, 30-10, in that Charlotte-based bowl game last December, allowing WVU to finished with 9-4 overall record.