HOUSTON -- Re’Shaun Sanford II ran for 126 yards and the tiebreaking score in the fourth quarter, and Conner Weigman threw for 227 yards and two touchdowns as No. 17 Houston beat Cincinnati 31-24 on Saturday.

Sanford's 51-yard TD run with 5:10 remaining gave the Cougars (7-2, 4-2 Big 12) the lead.

Cincinnati (5-4, 2-4) drove to the Houston 42, but a throw by JC French IV was ruled a backward pass after a replay review, and Houston recovered with 2:11 remaining. The Cougars ran out the clock from there.

Cincinnati wide receiver JV Gibson was carted off the field with 6:59 remaining in the fourth quarter after taking a hit in the end zone by Jordan Allen.

Gibson immediately went down and laid motionless for a few moments as personnel from both teams rushed to him. Allen was flagged for targeting on the play and ejected.

Gibson finished with five catches for 54 yards.

Makhi Hughes rushed for 90 yards, and Weigman, who finished 17 of 24 passing, also rushed for a touchdown. Amare Thomas had six catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns, and Patrick Overmyer had four receptions for 66 yards for Houston, which finished with 468 yards of offense.

French was 19 of 30 for 217 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for a score. Gi’Bran Payne rushed for 71 yards, and Cole Tabb had 60 yards rushing and a touchdown catch.

Cincinnati: The Bearcats lost their second straight and need one win to become bowl-eligible. ... Cincinnati finished 9 of 14 on third down and 1 of 1 on fourth down.

Houston: The Cougars, who were No. 17 in the initial College Football Playoff rankings, are poised to move up a bit. Houston also remains in the Big 12 title hunt with three games left.

Cincinnati: At Iowa State next Saturday.

Houston: At Colorado on Friday night.

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