West Virginia Beat UC 24-21

Tony Miliano's field goal attempt was blocked as time expired.

Cincinnati moved the ball to the West Virginia 14 yard line to set up for a potential game tying field goal with three seconds left on the clock.

An iffy snap and a hasty hold allowed Eain Smith to get to the ball and end the game with his team clinging to a much needed victory.

In reality West Virginia players and coaches had no idea who blocked the 31-yard attempt by Miliano, they were just glad that one of them did.

"Everybody was taking credit, even guys that didn't play," coach Dana Holgorson said outside the visiting locker room at Paul Brown Stadium.  "I don't care.  I'll take credit for it or I'll give it to all of them."

Cincinnati had the Big East Conference by the throat.  The Bearcats were 7-1 and 3-0 in the Big East.  All of the other teams had two losses with the exception of Louisville but UC defeated them on October 15 on the same turf on which they suffered today's defeat.

West Virginia, who is even taking legal action to exit the conference early, was reeling.  They lost two conference games in a row.   They started the game 6-3 and 2-2 in conference.  Now they have a legitimate shot at the BCS bowl awarded the conference.

"We put ourselves in a hole that we shouldn't have," Moutaineer quarterback Geno Smith said.  "We found out that we could handle adversity.  It molded us for this win today."

Isaiah Pead got Cincinnati off to a fast start with a 40-yard touchdown run but Smith quickly rallied his teammates.

Smith connected with Stedman Bailey on a 59-yard touchdown pass to answer the Bearcats early score.

"It was crucial that we answer that score," Smith said.

West Virginia took the lead on a 28-yard field goal by Tyler Bitancurt.

UC failed to score after getting a first and goal on the five yard line late in the first quarter.  Cincinnati lined up for a field goal but an offside gave them the opportunity to try for a touchdown.  Collaros didn't make it into the end zone.

Collaros was injured and never returned when Najeer Goode from Cleveland Benedictine forced a fumble that was recovered in the end zone by Julian Miller.

"It should have been my touchdown," said Goode, who played against Collaros in high school.

Munchie Legaux led the Bearcats back by leading two touchdown drives.  Legaux ran the ball in from seven yards out and Pead scored from 10 yards out to put UC on top 21-17, a minute and a half into the fourth quarter.

Smith took his team down the field  with a 12-play, 74-yard drive that Shawne Austin finished with a one-yard run.

West Virginia survived the Bearcats last effort to tie the game.

"We could have collapsed on defense but we didn't" Holgorsen said.  "We had no choice but to play until the clock read all zeroes.  It was a classic example of finding a way to win."