NORTH ANDOVER, Mass. (Interstat) — In a stunning fourth-quarter collapse, the Fordham Rams surrendered a 13-point lead and fell to the Merrimack Warriors 27-26 on a chilly Saturday afternoon at Duane Stadium.

The Rams, who led for the majority of the contest, appeared to be in control heading into the final period, but Merrimack quarterback Ayden Pereira engineered two late touchdown drives to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. The loss dropped Fordham to 1-11 on the season, while Merrimack improved to 4-7.

The game began in bizarre fashion, with Fordham taking an early lead without its offense ever taking the field. On Merrimack’s opening possession, a Mike Ryan punt was blocked through the back of the end zone, resulting in a safety and a 2-0 Fordham lead. The Rams capitalized on the ensuing free kick, driving for a 26-yard Bennett Henderson field goal to extend the lead to 5-0.

Merrimack responded with a 27-yard field goal from Carlton Thai, but the Rams began to find their offensive rhythm in the second quarter. Fordham quarterback Gunnar Smith, a 6-foot-5 sophomore from Lake Mary, Florida, capped a methodical 98-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown plunge. Smith was the engine of the Fordham offense, rushing for 86 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries while also throwing for 252 yards.

Later in the second quarter, a special teams disaster struck the Rams. A Matty Weir punt was blocked by Merrimack’s Matthias Latham and recovered by Garry Rosemond Jr., who returned it 11 yards for a touchdown, pulling the Warriors to within 12-10.

Fordham answered just before halftime, with Smith scrambling for a 26-yard touchdown run to give the Rams a 19-10 lead. Merrimack managed a late field goal from Thai as time expired in the half to make the score 19-13 at the break.

The Rams extended their lead in the third quarter on a spectacular 73-yard touchdown pass from Smith to Troy Worrell. The connection was the highlight of a dominant day for Worrell, who hauled in six receptions for 160 yards and the score. That play gave Fordham its largest lead at 26-13.

The momentum shifted decisively in the fourth quarter. With just under eight minutes remaining, Pereira found a wide-open Austin Palmer for a 66-yard touchdown strike, cutting the deficit to 26-20. On Fordham’s very next offensive play, Smith was intercepted by Merrimack linebacker Will Claude, giving the Warriors the ball back with ample time.

Pereira then meticulously led Merrimack on the game-winning drive, a 16-play, 71-yard march that consumed over five minutes of clock. The drive was kept alive by Pereira’s legs and short passes, and was ultimately capped by a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cade Callahan with just under three minutes to play. Thai’s extra point gave Merrimack its first lead of the day at 27-26.

Fordham had one final chance to salvage the game, but its last-ditch drive stalled near midfield, sealing the heartbreaking loss.

Pereira, a junior from Auburn, New Hampshire, was instrumental in the comeback, accounting for both of Merrimack’s offensive touchdowns. He completed 11 of 30 passes for 167 yards and two scores, while also leading the team with 77 rushing yards on 16 attempts.

The result defied pregame projections, as Fordham had been a slight favorite despite its record. The Rams’ season of struggles added another painful chapter, while the Warriors celebrated a resilient comeback victory on their home field.