OXFORD, Ohio -- Malik Clements' 14-yard interception return for a touchdown capped Cincinnati's comeback from a 17-6 deficit in the final three minutes as the Bearcats retained possession of the Victory Bell with a 21-17 win against Miami (Ohio) Saturday night at Yeager Stadium.
 

Miami took a 13-point lead with 4:45 left of Sam Sloman's 37-yard field goal. But Cincinnati closed to within a field goal when Hayden Moore connected with Khalil Lewis on a 20-yard touchdown pass, and again on the ensuing two-point conversion with 2:52 left.

Cincinnati sent the ensuing kickoff deep as Miami appeared to expect an onsides kick, and the Bearcat defense caught a break when the RedHawks took a delay of game penalty on third-and-2 from the 13. Clements was in the right spot on the ensuing third-and-7 as he snached a Gus Ragland pass at the 14 and went in untouched to put Cincinnati ahead with 55 seconds remaining.

Lewis finished with seven receptions for 83 yards and a touchdown, while Moore was 24-of-43 for 222 yards and a TD with two interceptions.

It was Cincinnati's 12th straight win in the Victory Bell series, which dates to the 1888 season and is the second-oldest FBS rivalry.