Shawne Alston ran for the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter, and visiting West Virginia blocked a 31-yard field goal attempt as time expired to down No. 18 Cincinnati 24-21 and tighten the Big East race.

The bigger loss for the Bearcats (7-2, 3-1 Big East) came in the first half, when quarterback Zach Collaros was knocked out with a right leg injury on a play in which West Virginia recovered his fumble in the end zone.

Backup Munchie Legaux, who had thrown seven passes all season, drove the Bearcats down the field after the Mountaineers (7-3, 3-2) missed a 47-yard field goal with 2:01 remaining to set up the tying attempt.

The Big East now has five teams tied with two losses behind the first-place Bearcats.

Collaros watched the second half with his right foot and ankle heavily wrapped as Cincinnati tried to rally again, after coming from nine-plus points down in each of its three previous games to win.

The Bearcats took a 7-0 lead on Isaiah Pead's 40-yard touchdown run just two minutes in, but West Virginia responded with 17 unanswered points before halftime, including Julian Miller's touchdown fumble recovery on the play in which Collaros was hurt.

Cincinnati closed the gap to 17-14 on Legaux's 7-yard score, and took the lead on a 10-yard touchdown run by Pead.

Stedman Bailey caught his 10th touchdown in the first half, and is just two behind the West Virginia season mark held by Darius Reynaud and Chris Henry.