SALEM, Va. — Averett University rallied late in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough. Washington & Lee University held off the Cougars 31-23 on Saturday at Salem Stadium.

Trailing 31-7 late in the fourth quarter, Averett (1-2) tried to mount a comeback. Senior quarterback Shan Fairbanks (Groveland, Fla./South Lake) found senior fullback Steven Oristian (Grasonville, Md./Brentsville) for a 17-yard touchdown, and junior running back Dontavious Watson (Tampa, Fla./Brandon) rushed in for the two-point conversion to cut the Washington & Lee lead to 31-15. with 5:33 to play.

The Cougars' defense forced the Generals (3-1) to punt, giving Averett the ball with 2:31 left on the clock. The Cougars moved their way down the field, and Fairbanks hit junior wide receiver Anthony Squillini (Clayton, N.C./Clayton) for a 5-yard touchdown with 1:12 to go. Fairbanks' pass to Watson for the two-point conversion made the score 31-23.

Still a one-possession game, Averett recovered the on-side kick but couldn't find the end zone again. The Cougars went four-and-out, giving the Generals the ball with 40 seconds left.

Much like their 2007 meeting, the first half was a close battle. Washington & Lee took a 7-0 lead after Charlie Westfal threw a 3-yard touchdown to Daniel Kohl in the first quarter. The Cougars tied it before the half on Watson's 4-yard run.

But the Generals began to pull away in the third quarter. They took the lead on Stuart Sitterson's 6-yard touchdown run and increased their lead to 16-7 following an Averett safety. Two more Washington & Lee touchdowns gave the Generals a 31-7 cushion before Averett battled from behind.

Watson led the Cougars with 90 yards rushing on 14 carries, including one for 63 yards. Fairbanks completed 19-of-39 passes for 150 yards and one interception. Squillini led the receivers with six catches for 47 yards.

Senior Andre Garvin (Cheraw, S.C./Cheraw) led the Cougars on defense with 13 total tackles and a sack, while junior Mario Huffman (Danville, Va./Tusntall) and sophomore Justin McCauley (Kannapolis, N.C./Brown) added 9 total tackes.

Averett returns home to open the USA South Conference schedule against Ferrum College at 1 p.m. on Oct. 4.