The Tigers (4-5) trailed 14-10 before Klein's pass to Worthy on third-and-goal capped a 15-play, 70-yard drive with 3:41 left. That drive consumed 6:38.
Auburn snapped a five-game losing streak, its longest since 1952.
Central Florida (3-6) has been the victim of a late-game collapse during Auburn's homecoming game two straight years. Last year, a fumbled snap by Daunte Culpepper set up a 58-yard, last-minute scoring strike from Gabe Gross to Karsten Bailey in a 10-6 Tigers victory.
This one was also tough. Central Florida quarterback Vic Penn, who passed for 374 yards, threw three straight incompletions following the Tigers' go-ahead score. That, coupled with an illegal procedure play, set up fourth-and-15 from the Knights 15 with 3:10 left. Central Florida had used its final timeout on third down and coach Mike Kruczek opted to go for it.
Haven Fields sacked Penn for a 7-yard loss. On the next play, Heath Evans ran up the middle for an 8-yard score.
Central Florida's next play was an interception returned 20 yards for a score by Alex Lincoln.
Kruczek also tried a fake punt earlier in the quarter on fourth-and-seven from the Central Florida 39. It failed, but Auburn couldn't cash in as a second straight series ended when Damon Duval missed a field goal attempt.
Klein, subbing for injured Ben Leard, completed 19-of-31 for a career-best 270 yards and two touchdowns. The redshirt freshman also had two passes intercepted. Leard missed three games with a separated shoulder and suffered a concussion after returning last weekend against Arkansas. He didn't dress out Saturday.
Ronney Daniels caught 10 passes for 143 yards, including a 78-yarder that took Auburn from its 1.
Evans made his first start at tailback. He rushed 24 times for 81 yards for the nation's 113th-rated rushing offense.
Penn was 29-of-52 with two interceptions and an 83-yard TD strike to Charles Lee, who caught 11 passes for 203 yards.
Penn was 6-for-16 in the fourth quarter under constant pressure.
1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH FINAL
--- --- --- --- -----
Central Florida 0 7 3 0 10
Auburn 7 0 0 21 28
First Quarter
Aub-T. Robinson 20 pass from Klein (Duval kick), 10:16
Second Quarter
UCF-Lee 83 pass from Penn, (Beorlegui kick), 8:10
Third Quarter
UCF-FG Beorlegui 39, 11:43
Fourth Quarter
Aub-Worthy 16 pass from Klein (Duval kick), 3:41
Aub-Evans 8 run (Duval kick), 2:58
Aub-Lincoln 20 INT return (Duval kick), 2:04
UCF Aub
--- ---
First downs 19 17
Rushes-yards 30-(-27) 37-98
Passing 374 270
Comp-Att-Int 29-52-2 19-31-2
Return Yards 61 73
Punts-Avg. 5-38.6 5-44.0
Fumbles-Lost 1-0 2-1
Penalties-Yards 4-30 1-15
Time of Possession 29:47 30:13
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING-Central Fla., Howard 5-11, Williams 5-8, Hinshaw 1-1,
Sessoms 1-0, Mack 7-0, Penn 11-(minus 47). Auburn, Evans 24-81,
Carter 1-14, Cooper 1-12, Williams 3-8, C. Robinson 1-(minus 3),
Klein 6-(minus 12), team 1-(minus 2).
PASSING-Central Fla., Penn 29-52-2-374. Auburn, Klein
19-31-2-270.
RECEIVING-Central Fla., Lee 11-203, Davis 8-55, Clark 5-68,
Hinshaw 4-42, Fryzel 1-6. Auburn, Daniels 10-143, Worthy 3-39,
Diamond 2-62, T. Robinson 1-20, Cooper 1-5, Evans 1-4, C.
Robinson 1-(minus 3).
A-75,804.
Data provided by Infobeat Sports