DANVILLE, Va. – Averett University football played out an entertaining bout with visiting Shenandoah University on homecoming Saturday afternoon at Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium. A first-half shutout from the visitors proved enough, as the Cougars battled late but fell 38-20.
Averett (2-3, 0-2 ODAC) trailed 17-0 at halftime before the Cougars found their footing offensively in the second half. Shenandoah (3-2, 1-1 ODAC) built its advantage with two first-quarter scores from quarterback Mekhi Brown, first with a 57-yard strike to wideout Carter Rodriguez. Toward the end of the opening stanza, Brown connected with Cooper Minnix from eight yards out, as the Hornets doubled their lead.
A late field goal with eight seconds left in the second extended the visitors' lead to 17 as the halftime intermission loomed.
With penalty help from their opponents, the Cougars and sophomore signal-caller Brandon Saunders put the home side on the board at the 10:10 mark in the third quarter. Saunders put together an 11-play, 74-yard drive that concluded with a four-yard strike to sophomore transfer tight end Jaquavis Clark. The score cut the deficit to 17-7, and momentum would continue later on.
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Strong defensive stands from both sides prevented any scores until early in the final quarter, when Shenandoah and running back Bryce Buchanan ran through the Cougar defensive line from nine yards out to regain a 17-point lead.
Chaos occurred on the Hornets' next offensive drive. Consecutive defensive stops from Averett had the visitors punt deep in their own territory, and the Cougars pounced on the loose snap. A fumble from Shenandoah's punter was recovered and taken to the end zone by sophomore defensive back Jaydon Ruffin for a defensive score, and brought Averett within 10, 24-14.
The Hornets regained control on their ensuing possession, when Jackson McFarland caught a pass from the slot and willed his way 77 yards to the Cougar end zone to go up 31-14. The Cougars kept their fight intact, however, as on a nine-play, 54-yard drive, Saunders found freshman wide receiver Zymarcus Stover for the four-yard score, as the home team crossed the 20-point mark.
Averett was unable to complete the comeback, as Brown added a five-yard rushing score in the final minutes to secure the 38-20 win.
Saunders ended his afternoon as he completed 22 of 37 passes for 140 yards and two passing scores. Suber had a season-best nine receptions for 64 yards, while Clark, along with his touchdown reception, added six receptions for 42 yards.
Freshman defensive back Jahlil Bryant had his breakout game with a team-leading 10 tackles, a tackle for loss, a forced fumble and recovery. Redshirt freshman defensive back Anthony Watson-Bethea recorded nine tackles with a tackle for loss, a sack and a fumble recovery for 26 yards. Fellow freshman defensive back K'Jaceon McInnis had the most tackles for loss on the team with two, and freshman defensive back Kori Moates notched his first career interception in the loss.
Averett led in time of possession, 31:08 to 28:52, while also having 79 kick return yards.
The Cougars next welcome No. 23 Randolph-Macon College next Saturday, Oct. 17, for a 3 p.m. kickoff.
