Cougars go on the road to face Shenandoah University
The Averett University Cougars, under the guidance of seventh-year head coach Mike Dunlevy, take on conference foe Shenandoah University on Saturday for a 7 p.m. kickoff. Shenandoah holds a 6-2 advantage in the overall series, but the Cougars have won two out of the last three meetings, including the last meeting played in Winchester.

Averett (3-4, 2-2 USA South) is coming off a 28-14 victory over Greensboro College on Homecoming. Shenandoah (2-5, 1-3 USA South), meanwhile, is fresh off a 47-24  loss to N.C. Wesleyan.

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Last time they met
Shenandoah grabbed an early lead and then pulled away late for a 42-22 victory over the Cougars in Danville. Shenandoah got on the scoreboard first on a Vern Lunsford touchdown pass from 24 yards out. The Hornets added to that lead at the start of the second quarter when C.J. Madison picked off a pass and returned it 73 yards for a touchdown. On its next possession, Shenandoah took a 21-0 lead on a touchdown run by Anthony Cordero.

Averett, however, didn't go away. The Cougars drove the field on their next possession and appeared to settle for a field goal. But holder Michael Moore found Dontavious Watson for a 10-yard touchdown. Averett pulled to within 21-10 on a Marcus Klusacek field goal just before the half.

The Cougars scored again on their first possession of the second half, but the Hornets outscored Averett 21-6 the rest of the way.


How they stack up this season
Averett and Shenandoah have faced four common opponents this season — Bridgewater, Ferrum, Greensboro and N.C. Wesleyan. Averett is 1-3 against those teams, while Shenandoah is 2-2.

Both teams have had balanced offenses this season. Unlike in previous seasons, Shenandoah has used its passing game. Through seven games, the Hornets have twice as many passing touchdowns this year (6) that they did last year (3), and they've already completed more passes and are 42 yards shy of surpassing last year's total number of passing yards. Still, the Hornets rely on their ground game. Kevin Roberts has rushed 151 times for 720 yards and three touchdowns, while B.J. Smoot has rushed 46 times for 208 yards and three scores. Smoot has also been a weapon in the passing game. He's caught 10 passes for 201 yards and three touchdowns from quarterback Vern Lunsford.

On defense, Dionte Beatty has caused trouble with 44 tackles, two sacks and three interceptions.

Averett has found success on the ground and through the air as well. The Cougars have rushed for 920 net yards, and running backs Dontavious Watson, John Ellison and Mark Williams have at least 250 yards each. Watson leads the way with 432 yards and five touchdowns.

Averett quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski, who missed two games due to injury, has completed 55 of his 114 pass attempts for 558 yards and four touchdowns. Among the Cougars' favorite targets are Anthony Squillini and Jeremy Dixon. Squillini has 34 receptions for 361 yards and six touchdowns, while Dixon has 23 catches for 290 yards and one touchdown reception.

Averett is averaging 21.8 points a game, which is a little over five points more than Greensboro's 16.6 points a contest.


Big plays prove to be the difference in victory over Greensboro
Jeremy Clifton's first collegiate interception proved to be a big one. The sophomore cornerback's pick early in the fourth quarter against Greensboro College on Oct. 25 shifted the momentum back in Averett's favor when Clifton returned it 46 yards for a touchdown. The play gave Averett a 28-14 advantage following two quick scores by Greensboro.

While Clifton's play provided a two-touchdown cushion, the play that turned out to be the difference came on special teams just before halftime. Sophomore Jeremy Dixon returned a Greensboro punt 50 yards for a touchdown with 20 seconds left in the first half to put Averett ahead 21-0.

It was the second straight game with a touchdown for Dixon, who notched his first career touchdown reception against N.C. Wesleyan on Oct. 18. Like his punt return, Dixon made a fantastic play. Dixon's route led him down the left sideline, where quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski tossed up the pass. Dixon went over top a leaping N.C. Wesleyan defender, tipped te ball up and caught it as he landed in the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown reception. Dixon's six catches for 65 yards was his best performance since the season-opener against Bridgewater College when he made five catches for 144 yards.

Dixon now has four career touchdowns. He ran for two scores against Ferrum College last season while playing quarterback.


Cornerback Frederick Reid making opposing offenses pay
Junior cornerback Frederick Reid has had solid outings in Averett's last two games. Last weekend against Greensboro, Reid picked off a pair of passes by Pride quarterback Mike Caparaso. He almost hauled in a third interception, but he was ruled out of bounds. Still Reid finished that contest with six total tackles, combined for a tackle for a loss and broke up three passes.

Reid also shined the previous week at N.C. Wesleyan on Oct. 18. Reid had five solo tackles and assisted on two others, and he recovered two N.C. Wesleyan fumbles. He returned one of them 51 yards to give Averett's offense good field position. He forced a fumble as well.

Reid, who has stepped into a starting role in place of John Garcia the past four games, has 29 total tackles this season.

For a complete version of the Averett/Shenandoah Game Notes, click here.