SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (Interstat) — In a dramatic reversal of fortune, the Rhode Island Rams scored 21 unanswered points in the fourth quarter to storm back and defeat the New Hampshire Wildcats 38-27 in a non-conference football game Saturday at Meade Stadium.

The Wildcats, who had been installed as pregame favorites, controlled the game for three quarters but saw their lead evaporate under a relentless Rams’ ground attack and a pair of critical fourth-quarter turnovers.

New Hampshire built its lead with a methodical offensive performance, scoring in every quarter but the fourth. The Wildcats struck first, capping an opening drive with a 5-yard touchdown run by Myles Thomason. They extended their lead in the second quarter when quarterback Matt Vezza connected with Chase Wilson on a 20-yard scoring pass, giving the Wildcats a 14-0 advantage.

Rhode Island finally found its footing in the second quarter, mounting a 17-point outburst to close the gap. The Rams got on the board with a 3-yard touchdown run from the 285-pound running back Antwain Littleton Jr. Kicker Garth White added a 45-yard field goal, and just before halftime, Brendon Barrow broke free for a 28-yard touchdown run, sending the teams to the locker room with New Hampshire leading 17-14.

The Wildcats appeared to seize control in the third quarter. Vezza found tight end Peyton Strickland for a 2-yard touchdown pass, and after an interception by cornerback Kelby Hampton, kicker Nick Reed booted a 46-yard field goal. Reed added another field goal from 31 yards later in the quarter, pushing the New Hampshire lead to 27-17 and seemingly putting the game out of reach.

The final period, however, belonged entirely to the Rams. Barrow, who finished with 111 rushing yards, ripped off a 19-yard touchdown run early in the quarter to pull Rhode Island within three points. The game then turned on a pair of devastating New Hampshire mistakes.

With just over a minute remaining and the Wildcats driving in an attempt to tie or take the lead, Vezza was sacked by Moses Meus and fumbled. Rhode Island linebacker Rohan Davy recovered the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown, giving the Rams a 31-27 lead.

On the ensuing New Hampshire possession, the Wildcats’ hopes were extinguished when Vezza was sacked again, resulting in another fumble that was returned for a Rams touchdown, sealing the 38-27 final.

Vezza, a quarterback from Elmhurst, Illinois, finished with 193 passing yards and two touchdowns while also leading the Wildcats in rushing with 54 yards on 16 carries. Wilson was his top target, catching five passes for 69 yards and a score.

For Rhode Island, quarterback Devin Farrell of Stockbridge, Georgia, managed the game effectively, throwing for 164 yards and a touchdown while adding 47 yards on the ground. Barrow’s two-touchdown performance, combined with Littleton Jr.’s powerful running, provided the offensive balance that fueled the comeback.

The game defied the projections of Interstat’s game simulator, which had predicted a 33-30 New Hampshire victory. While the Rams were given a 72.2 percent probability to win by the same service’s ELO system, the Wildcats had been favored by oddsmakers with a spread of +11. The total score of 65 points sailed well over the over/under line of 45.5.

The loss drops New Hampshire to a .500 record of 3-3 on the season. The Wildcats will look to rebound next Saturday when they travel to face Campbell.

Rhode Island improves to 4-2 with the victory and will head on the road next Saturday for a matchup against Albany.