DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University turned big plays into touchdowns and held off Greensboro College for a 28-14 victory on Homecoming at the Cougar Den on Saturday afternoon.

Averett (3-4, 2-2 USA South) enjoyed a 21-0 lead at halftime, but a pair of Greensboro touchdowns in a four-minute span quickly closed the gap. With the momentum shifting into Greensboro's favor, sophomore cornerback Jeremy Clifton changed that in the blink of an eye. Clifton picked off Pride quarterback Mike Caparaso and returned the interception 46 yards for a touchdown, which gave Averett all the cushion it would need.

The Cougars' defense held Greensboro (2-5, 0-4 USA South) scoreless over the final 12 minutes as senior linebacker Clyde Robinson intercepted Caparaso on the Averett goalline as time expired.

Averett took its opening possession 62 yards for a score. Senior John Ellison capped off the 10-play drive with a 2-yard touchdown run —  his first of the season — to help give the Cougars a 7-0 lead with 10:24 to play.

Sophomore running back Mark Williams gave the Cougars a 14-0 lead after breaking a 28-yard touchdown down the right sideline for his first score of the season. That six-play, 48-yard scoring drive was the result of a Greensboro fumble that junior linebacker Mario Huffman forced and senior defensive lineman Zack Morton recovered.

The Pride hoped to enter the locker rooms trailing by only two touchdowns at halftime, but sophomore Jeremy Dixon spoiled those plans. Dixon returned a punt 50 yards for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the second quarter to put Averett ahead 21-0.

Still, Greensboro chipped away at Averett's lead in the third quarter. After two of his receivers dropped touchdown catches, Caparaso found tight end Charlie Johnson on third down for a 4-yard score late in the third quarter.

The Pride then took advantage of an Averett fumble and turned it into a 9-yard touchdown run by quarterback Calvin Bacon, which cut Averett's lead to 21-14.

Averett's next drive stalled, and the Cougars were forced to punt to Greensboro. But on second down, Caparaso's pass toward the sideline was picked by Clifton, shifting the momentum back into Averett's favor while giving them a two-touchdown lead it wouldn't relinquish.

Although Averett dominated on the scoreboard, Greensboro outgained the Cougars 349-205 in total yards on 26 more plays. But even when Averett's offense couldn't get things going, the defense made up for it. The Cougars made four interceptions and recovered two Greensboro fumbles. Junior cornerback Frederick Reid, who recovered two fumbles and forced a fumble last week against N.C. Wesleyan, led the way with two interceptions against Greensboro. Huffman led the Cougars with 14 total tackles. Sophomore linebacker Logan Smyth added eight total tackles, including a sack, and recovered a fumble.

Caparaso led Greensboro with 300 yards passing, including 16 tosses for 145 yards to Torrey Lowe and 12 to Johnson for 120 yards.

Averett travels to Shenandoah University next Saturday for a 7 p.m. start.