HUNTINGTON, W. Va. – Terrence McCrae caught a Hail Mary touchdown pass from Boo Jackson with no time left on the clock, but Jackson’s two-point conversion pass was incomplete as Marshall hung on to beat Ohio, 24-23, at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in the Battle for the Bell on Saturday night.

Jackson’s 36-yard touchdown pass to McCrae, who rose above Marshall’s defenders to make the catch, drew the Bobcats to within a point, and Ohio went for the win on the road. But Jackson’s pass was incomplete as his intended target Riley Dunlop fell down, giving the Thundering Herd their ninth victory in the last 10 tries against the Bobcats.

Ohio’s offense again sputtered in the first half as Marshall (1-3) took a 13-3 lead into the break behind a pair of touchdown passes by Brian Anderson, who finished the game 21 of 30 for 295 yards without an interception.

The Bobcats found life in the second half, though, with Jackson and McCrae hooking on a two-yard touchdown pass on the opening possession of the second half. It was set up by a 46-yard completion to McCrae on Phil Bates’ only pass attempt of the game. McCrae finished with 118 yards receiving on four catches.

After a 23-yard Tyler Warner field goal put the Herd on top 16-10, the Bobcats took their first and only lead when punter Paul Hershey, holding on a field goal attempt, instead took off on a fake and reached the right corner of the end zone.

Marshall converted four third downs on its ensuing possession, regaining the lead on an Anderson touchdown pass to Antavious Wilson from 12 yards out. Chuck Walker caught a two-point conversion pass from Anderson to put the Herd in front 24-17 with 8:21 remaining.

Ohio was forced to punt on consecutive possessions, and Marshall took control of the ball with only 2:31 remaining. After giving up a first down run on the first play, the Bobcats’ defense came through by stopping Martin Ward for no gain on fourth-and-two, giving the offense one last chance with 1:01 remaining.

Beginning at their own 30-yard line, the Bobcats were able to move to the Herd 36-yard line with eight seconds left, setting up the touchdown toss on the final play.

Bates led the Bobcats on the ground with 60 yards on 11 carries, while Davidson had 12 attempts for 36 yards. Jackson was 11 of 20 passing for 155 yards with two touchdowns and one interception.

Wilson had a game-high seven catches for 119 yards for Marshall, but the Herd struggled to move the ball on the ground as Andre Booker and Ward combined for just 100 yards on 34 attempts.

Jay Edwards, who filled in for the injured Noah Keller at middle linebacker, led the Bobcats on defense with 11 tackles.

Ohio returns to Mid-American Conference play with a 12 p.m. game Saturday at Eastern Michigan.