ATHENS – Rodney Harris II caught a go-ahead 49-yard touchdown pass from Parker Navarro with 2:15 remaining, and Jalen Thomeson intercepted Dequan Finn on the ensuing possession as Ohio earned a share of first place in the Mid-American Conference with a 24-20 victory against Miami on Tuesday night at Peden Stadium.

Sieh Bangura had a touchdown run and also returned a kickoff for a score as the Bobcats (6-3, 4-1 MAC) remained undefeated at home this season and improved to 22-1 over the past four seasons since dedicating Frank Solich Field. They avenged their only home loss in that span as the RedHawks beat them two seasons ago 30-16.

The result puts Ohio, Miami, Buffalo and Western Michigan all at 4-1, with the Bobcats still to face the Broncos and Bulls in two of their final three games.

“I couldn't be more proud of the players and our staff, the job that they're doing, the way our players are trusting what we're developing here, and the culture that's already been built,” Ohio coach Brian Smith said. “I think the way that they represent this school and how hard they play is something that we really appreciate.”

After forcing a RedHawks punt, the Bobcats took possession, down three, with 5:19 remaining. Bangura picked up 15 yards on the first play and seemed to convert another first down but instead a holding penalty resulted in a third-and-14.

Adam Trick got to Navarro in the backfield but was flagged for a personal foul facemask for an automatic first down. Two plays later, Navarro rolled out to his left and threw it up for Harris, who adjusted to the ball as a Miami defender fell down, and then ran through a tackle attempt near the goal line for a touchdown that was the final of five lead changes.

With just over two minutes remaining and a pair of timeouts, Miami (5-4, 4-1 MAC) had plenty of time to answer, and Finn threw up a jump ball completion to Braylin Isom for 27 yards to near midfield on the first play.

But on the first play after the two-minute timeout, Finn and Josh Ringer had a miscommunication, and Thomeson took advantage with a diving interception. One first down run by Bangura allowed Ohio to kneel out the remainder of the clock.

“Finish the game, seal the game,” Thomeson said. “This is it. This is the play to get the ‘W,’ so I made it happen.”

Defense ruled the first half with the score tied at 3 as the third quarter began. Both offenses came to life beginning with Miami’s second possession after halftime.

The RedHawks took advantage of a turnover to score the first points of the second. Corban Hondru knocked the ball out of Navarro’s hands just as he was about to throw and then recovered the fumble at Ohio’s 36-yard line. That led to a Dom Dzioban 46-yard field goal to make it 6-3.

The first touchdown of the game came on the next possession as Bangura went 22 yards up the middle on third-and-3 to put the Bobcats back in front 10-6.

Miami converted a fourth-and-1 late in the third quarter and then scored its first touchdown on Ohio in two games with Finn throwing a 4-yard strike to Braylon Isom on third-and-goal.

That briefly made it 13-10. Bangura received the kickoff, faked an end-around and then found space up the middle for a 97-yard return to the end zone, making it 17-13.

But the RedHawks continued their offensive groove, getting 21 yards on a D’Shawntae Jones run into Ohio territory and then another first down. On fourth-and-9, Finn hit Kam Perry in the end zone for a 27-yard touchdown to move his team back in front by three with 9:29 left on the clock.

The Bobcats had to punt on their next possession, but the defense came through and forced one by the RedHawks when Cam Hollenbaugh batted down a Finn third-down pass. That set up the game-winning drive.

Neither team managed much in the first half. Ohio’s best touchdown opportunity was late in the first quarter, but Eli Coppess came down with a deep pass near the end zone that Chase Hendricks had in his hands for a moment.

Every other possession of the first half ended on a punt until the RedHawks used completions of 27, 17 and then 4 yards to move inside the 10 and then converted a third-and-2 to the 2-yard line. The next three plays, though, netted just 1 yard total, and on fourth-and-goal from the 1, a false start led to Miami settling for a Dzioban 23-yard field goal with 1:57 left.

Ohio executed a solid two-minute drive to get its first points, though it also was held to a field goal, a 35-yarder from David Dellenbach with seven seconds left in the half.

Navarro went 16-of-31 passing for 201 yards and rushed eight times for 28 yards. Bangura gained 102 yards on 17 carries, and Harris made five catches for 92 yards.

For Miami, Finn was 17-of-25 passing for 194 yards, completed six passes for 94 yards to Weaver. Jordan Brunson had 49 yards rushing on 15 carries.

First place again will be on the line in Ohio’s next game when it hits the road to face Western Michigan at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Western Michigan on ESPN2.