West Virginia's bend-but-not-break defense allowed 545 total yards to the Redhawks, but safety Jerry Porter came up with a big 68-yard interception return for a touchdown with 8:09 left in the game to seal the victory for the Mountaineers.

"That interception of Jerry Porter's was a big play for us," admitted West Virginia coach Don Nehlen.

It was the fourth INT thrown by Miami quarterback Mike Bath, who finished the day 16-of-38 for 312 yards and two touchdowns.

"Our secondary play was better in the second half, but we've got to get better back there," Nehlen lamented.

"Probably 250 of their 500 yards were post patterns -- the same thing they did against Northwestern and that really upsets me," said Nehlen. "I told our guys if they can beat you throwing it to the sideline, let them. Don't give them the cheap post pattern."

The Mountaineers produced 218 rushing yards, but couldn't quite shake Miami after going into halftime with a 19-14 lead.

"Miami's a very experienced offensive team," said Nehlen. "I have all the respect in the world for Miami."

The Mountaineers extended their lead to eight with a Jay Taylor 35-yard FG to start the third quarter. For Taylor, it was his third successful field goal attempt of the afternoon.

Cobourne added a one-yard run to make the score 29-14 with 1:55 left in the period.

Then things got interesting.

Travis Prentice countered with a three-yard touchdown run two plays after Miami went for it on fourth-and-one at the West Virginia 10 to start the fourth quarter.

The Mountaineers answered when Bulger hit Antonio Brown down the sideline for 26 yards to make it 36-21.

But just two plays later, Miami's Trevor Gaylor took a swing pass from Bath, and heaved the football 30 yards downfield to a wide-open Prentice. The back raced the remaining distance for an 81-yard score to make it 36-27. Though Porter blocked the point after conversion, West Virginia's margin was trimmed to nine with 12:20 left in the game.

"On that trick play, we were about a half-second away from making that another interception," said Nehlen. "But that was a heck of a play."

After an exchange of possessions, Miami had first and 10 from its own 48 when Bath's pass sailed high of his intended receiver Sly Johnson. Porter picked off the ball and raced 68 yards up the near sideline to put the game away for West Virginia.

"We played a sloppy football game," said Miami coach Terry Hoeppner. "Too may turnovers, too many missed tackles and some blown things on defense that we normally don't do."

Prentice, who rushed for 151 yards last week at Northwestern, managed 163 yards on 29 carries.

"He's a man. He's a big, strong guy," said Nehlen of Prentice. "He just gets better (as the game goes on)."

Gaylor led Miami receivers with 153 yards on six catches.

Bulger connected on 19-of-35 passes for 226 yards and three scores. It was his sixth straight game with at least two TD passes and his fifth straight game with 200-yards-or-more passing. Bulger now shows 51 career touchdown passes and 6,650 career passing yards.

Antonio Brown was West Virginia's top receiver with 61 yards on six catches, while Pat Greene and Khori Ivy added four receptions each.

The win improves West Virginia's record to 1-1, while Miami falls to 1-1.

The Mountaineers are back in action next Saturday at Maryland in a noon kickoff.