ALBANY, N.Y. (Interstat) — In a matchup of teams desperate for a win, the Bryant Bulldogs mounted a fourth-quarter comeback to stun the Albany Great Danes 27-24 on Saturday at Tom & Mary Casey Stadium, defying both the oddsmakers and statistical projections.

The Bulldogs, who improved to 3-7, were given only an 18.3 percent chance to win by Interstat’s ELO system and were 3-point underdogs, but they outscored Albany 10-0 in the final quarter to secure the victory. The game’s total score of 51 points went over the projected over/under line of 46.5.

Albany, which fell to 1-9, opened the scoring on its first possession. A methodical 15-play drive, conducted entirely out of a no-huddle offense, stalled at the Bryant 8-yard line, forcing the Great Danes to settle for a 25-yard field goal from James Bozek.

The second quarter erupted into an offensive shootout. Bryant answered first, capping a drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by Elijah Elliott to take a 7-3 lead. The Bulldogs’ running back from Portland, Oregon, was a workhorse, finishing with 70 yards on 23 carries and that score.

Albany responded immediately, capitalizing on a fumble recovery by Denzel Patrick. Quarterback Jack Shields, who hails from Centreville, Virginia, needed just three plays to find tight end Steven Mahar Jr. for an 18-yard touchdown pass, putting the Great Danes back in front 10-7.

The back-and-forth continued as Bryant quarterback Jaden Keefner of Kingston, Pennsylvania, connected with Zyheem Collick on a spectacular 68-yard touchdown strike, reclaiming the lead for the Bulldogs at 14-10. Keefner finished an efficient 14 of 22 for 224 yards and that touchdown.

Not to be outdone, Shields led Albany on another scoring march, culminating in a 33-yard touchdown pass to tight end Carter Moses, giving the Great Danes a 17-14 advantage heading into halftime. Shields was sharp, completing 22 of 31 passes for 235 yards and two touchdowns.

The third quarter saw both teams add a score. Bryant drew even with a 21-yard field goal from Nicholas Stoyanovich. Albany then retook the lead with a 3-yard touchdown run from quarterback Aidan Semo of Cornwall, New York, making it 24-17.

The final frame belonged entirely to the visiting Bulldogs. After a drive deep into Albany territory, quarterback Ridge Docekal of Scottsdale, Arizona, entered the game and found Tristen Riley on a 6-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 24. The Bryant defense then forced a critical three-and-out from Albany.

The ensuing Bulldogs possession chewed up clock and ended with Stoyanovich booting a 26-yard field goal to put Bryant ahead for good at 27-24 with under six minutes to play.

Albany had one final chance to tie or win, driving to the Bryant 12-yard line in the final two minutes. The drive stalled, and a 34-yard field goal attempt by Bozek was blocked by Bryant’s O. McMiller with 1:24 remaining, sealing the victory for the Bulldogs. Bryant was then able to run out the clock.

The loss overshadowed a strong all-around performance from Albany’s Griffin Woodell, who rushed for 50 yards and added 45 receiving yards. For Bryant, Collick was the big-play threat, hauling in three passes for 83 yards and the long touchdown.

Bryant will look to build on the win when it hosts New Hampshire next Saturday. Albany will try to snap its skid at home against Towson.