Averett football falls at Hampden-Sydney, 73-21

HAMPDEN-SYDNEY, Va. – Averett University football fell in a road contest to ODAC perennials Hampden-Sydney College, 73-21 on Saturday afternoon.

Hampden-Sydney (7-1, 5-0 ODAC) and its high-octane offense scored on each of its first three offensive possessions to establish a 21-0 lead just a few minutes into the contest, but Averett (2-6, 0-5 ODAC) got its feet on the ground later in the first quarter. From their own 25-yard line, the Cougars utilized a run-heavy scheme that ultimately ended with a one-yard score from freshman running back Tyrek Samuel.

The Tigers reached the end zone two more times before the quarters flipped, as the home team led 37-6 at the start of the second period.

Averett generated quality offense midway into the second quarter, highlighted by the play of freshman quarterback Cole Perry and graduate student wideout Quinton Freeman. The pair connected on two key passes, first for 14 yards and the second for a 16-yard score for the receiver that helped give the visitors 14 points as the halftime intermission loomed in the distance.

The Cougars' last score of the afternoon was a milestone one, as Danville native and freshman running back Khalil Waller scored his first collegiate touchdown, an eight-yard rushing touchdown late in the third quarter. Hampden-Sydney's fast start proved to be the decider, as the Tigers reached the 70-point mark for a home win.

Freshman Keagan Reid led the Averett quarterback brigade, as he went 11-of-20 for 180 passing yards. Samuel ran for 12.2 yards per carry and totaled 61 net rushing yards with a touchdown. Junior wideout Ke'Antwone Jackson hauled in three receptions for 73 yards, and Freeman finished his day with 37 receiving yards of his own.

Freshman defensive back Chaz Penwright, for the second occurrence this season, led the Cougars in total tackles with nine. Freshman defensive lineman Tykeem Ross notched six tackles with two tackles for loss.

Freshman defensive back Kori Moates kept churning out key return yards for Averett, as he went for 150 kick return yards with a long of 27.

Averett returns back home to Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium for its home finale on Saturday, Nov. 7, hosting Guilford College for Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day. Start time is set for 1 p.m.