BUFFALO, N.Y. - Marshall wideout Darius Watts became the Thundering Herd’s all-time receptions leader, surpassing Mike Barber’s all-time record with nine receptions and 252 career catches, in a 26-16 win over the Buffalo Bulls in Mid-American Conference play Saturday afternoon.

The win was tougher than many expected, however, as the Bulls cut the Thundering Herd lead to 19-16 at the beginning of the third quarter on a 2-yard Chad Upshaw touchdown reception from quarterback P.J. Piskorik.

Marshall responded with a touchdown of their own on the next possession when junior running back Earl Charles rushed over the right end from 6 yards away to give Marshall the final margin of 10 points.

True freshman Hiram Moore, receiving his first career start, had a big, third-down 16-yard reception to keep the game-deciding fourth quarter drive alive. At the time, the Herd clung to a slim 19-16 lead.

The Herd led the Bulls 19-3 at halftime and looked to be cruising on a breezy, overcast day at UB Stadium. Marshall quarterback Stan Hill threw an 8-yard pass to Watts and ran for another score with 14 minutes to go in the second quarter to give MU a 14-3 lead. Charles ran for another score seven minutes later to give the Herd the 19-3 halftime margin.

The third quarter belonged to Buffalo as the Bulls scored the only touchdown of the quarter on a Chris McDuffie 1-yard run with six minutes to play in the third quarter.

Charles, a junior running back from Brooklyn, N.Y., led the Herd in rushing, carrying the ball 22 times for 111 yards in his second career start.

Marshall outgained Buffalo in total yards, 386 to 279. However, the Herd once again had troubles with turnovers, fumbling the ball two times that resulted in two Buffalo scores.

The Herd is back in action again next weekend at Western Michigan. Kick-off is set for a 2:30 start.