DANVILLE, Va. — The Averett University football team had many reasons to celebrate in a 31-24 victory over Guilford College on Saturday at the Cougar Den. Not only did Averett snap an 11-game losing streak, the Cougars shined in the process.

Junior wide receiver Anthony Squillini (Clayton, N.C., Clayton) reeled in two touchdown catches and junior running back Dontavious Watson (Tampa, Fla./Brandon) rushed for 102 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Cougars. Averett (1-1) improves to 4-1 all-time against Guilford (2-1).

“Our kids came out and played smart,” Averett coach Mike Dunlevy said. “That was the difference in the game. We had to play smart.”

The Quakers took an early 3-0 lead on a 31-yard field goal by Hunter Chappell, but the Cougars marched right back down the field on their ensuing possession. Squillini caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski (Coral Springs, Fla./J.P. Taravella) to cap a four-play, 64-yard drive that put Averett ahead 7-3.

Averett sophomore linebacker Logan Smyth (Danville, Va./Chatham) picked off a Jake Vogelbach pass on Guilford's next drive and returned it 39 yards. That helped set up a 12-yard score by Watson to put the Cougars ahead 14-3 with 6:23 left in the first quarter.

The Quakers battled back, however, and Justin Parker scored on a 1-yard run to pull Guilford to within four points. That ended the scoring in the first half as Averett took its 14-10 lead into the locker rooms.

The Cougars padded their lead with a 38-yard field goal by sophomore Marcus Klusacek (Ft. Myers, Fla./Estero) and a 13-yard touchdown run by Watson to go ahead 24-10. The latter scoring drive didn't come without a price as Kwiatkowski was injured on a passing play.

Although he didn't return, senior quarterback Shan Fairbanks (Groveland, Fla./South Lake) picked up right where Kwiatkowski left off. On his first full series, Fairbanks hit sophomore wide receiver Jorge Del Valle (Miami, Fla./Florida Christian) for an 80-yard pass that got the Cougars down the Guilford 5-yard line. Three plays later, Fairbanks threw a fade pass to the right side that Squillini caught for another Averett touchdown. Fairbanks finished with 112 yards through the air and was 7-for-10 passing.

“It's good to have a guy come in like Fairbanks and be able to keep moving the ball for you and keep doing the things you need to do,” Dunlevy said. “It made me feel very comfortable.”

Guilford scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 31-24, but senior cornerback John Garcia (Pembroke Pines, Fla./Everglades) sealed the game with an interception with 16 seconds to play.

“Our philosophy going into the game was bend, don't break,” Dunlevy said. “We had to make them keep throwing the football. Sure they're going to get plays, but make them have long drives.”

Watson's 102 yards on the ground was the first Averett 100-yard rushing performance since he ran for 117 yards against Greensboro last season. Watson is only the third player to have multiple 100-yard rushing games in a career for the Cougars. Kyle Wilson (14) and Tracey Smithers (3) are the other two.

“It starts with our offensive line,” Watson said. “They did their thing and they opened up holes for the running backs. And we held on to the ball.”

Averett's only turnovers came on downs. Guilford, on the other hand, threw three interceptions. In addition to Smyth and Garcia, senior defensive lineman Justin Anaya (Gibsonton, Fla./East Bay) also had a pick.

Smyth led the Cougars with 11 tackles, while Garcia and junior linebacker Mario Huffman (Danville, Va./Tunstall) each added eight tackles.

The Cougars return to action on Saturday at 1 p.m. when they play Washington & Lee University in Salem in a game that benefits Habitat for Humanity.

“It feels good to get a win,” Watson said. “I know we haven't finished celebrating, but next week we'll come in and focus on Washington & Lee.”