HOUSTON (Ticker) -- Mike Clark's 18-yard field goal with five seconds remaining proved to be the difference as Houston edged Cincinnati, 23-20, in a Conference USA game.

The Bearcats (2-3, 0-1 C-USA) trailed 20-14 when Deontey Kenner fired a 59-yard touchdown pass to P.J. Mays to tie the game with 6:21 to play. Cougars linebacker Wayne Rogers came up with the play of the game, though, blocking the extra point by Jon Ruffin to preserve the tie.

Kenner had a pass tipped by defensive tackle Mike Knepper that was intercepted by linebacker Sam Hairston at the Cincinnati 17 with 70 seconds left. Ketric Sanford, who rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns, carried five times to the Bearcats 1.

Clark, who had missed a 47-yarder in the second quarter, redeemed himself with the game-winning kick.

Houston (3-2, 1-1) scored the first 14 points as Sanford had a nine-yard jaunt as time expired in the first quarter and Leif Penn added a one-yard plunge on the first possession of the second half.

Houston is 9-2 at home against Cincinnati and 13-5 all-time. It has defeated the Bearcats at four different home fields throughout the 42-year rivalry. The Cougars have posted wins at Rice Stadium, the Astrodome, Robertson Stadium and now John O'Quinn Field.

Penn finished with 96 rushing yards as the Cougars totaled 238 yards on the ground. Jason McKinley completed 12-of-23 passes for 149 yards but was intercepted three times.

Kenner was 17-of-31 for 260 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. Freshman LaDaris Vann had six receptions for 111 yards, his second straight 100-yard performance.