DANVILLE, Va. — Two interception returns for touchdowns helped Bridgewater College defeat Averett University 34-13 in the season-opener for both teams on Saturday at the Cougar Den.

Bridgewater took an early 6-0 lead on a 19-yard touchdown pass from Hagan Driskell to Patrick Smoot. The extra point attempt, however, was blocked by Averett senior Andre Garvin (Cheraw, S.C./Cheraw). The Eagles pushed their lead to 12-0 less than four minutes into the second quarter on another touchdown pass by Driskell.

On Averett's ensuing drive, sophomore quarterback Philip Kwiatkowski (Coral Springs, Fla./J.P. Taravella) was intercepted by Bridgewater's Travis Marks, who returned the pick 23 yards for a touchdown. Bridgewater's defense found the end zone again with less than three minutes to play in the half. Averett senior quarterback Shan Fairbanks (Groveland, Fla./South Lakes) had his pass intercepted by T.J. Montague and returned 36 yards for a score.

The Eagles (1-0) added a 42-yard field goal by Jared Miller as time expired to end the first half, giving Bridgewater a 27-0 lead.

The youthful Cougars' inexperience showed in the first half with 11 penalties for 93 yards — most of which came on defensive offsides calls.

Averett's offense broke through early in the fourth quarter. Junior fullback Brian Daniels rumbled into the end zone on a 4-yard run to cut the score to 27-6.

Bridgewater added another passing touchdown 5:25 to play. Averett answered with a little bit of trickery. Senior fullback Steven Oristian (Grasonville, Md./Brentsville) threw a 41-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Anthony Squillini (Clayton, N.C./Clayton) with 1:12 to play.

Although the Cougars (0-1) failed to come away with the win, they managed to edge the Eagles in total offense by a margin of 333-328. Averett also managed to break several plays for long gains. Sophomore running back Mark Williams (Gainesville, Fla./P.K. Yonge) scampered 44 yards before being tripped by the Eagles. Fairbanks added a 44-yard toss to sophomore wide receiver Jeremy Dixon (Hawthorne, Fla./Hawthorne). Dixon made five catches for 152 yards.

Squillini added a 47-yard punt return.

Averett also got solid play from two newcomers. Junior linebacker Mario Huffman (Danville, Va./Tunstall) led the Cougars with eight tackles and freshman defensive end Terrance Bullard (Riviera Beach, Fla./Dwyer) made three sacks and had six tackles.

After a week off, Averett will look to rebound against Guilford College on Sept. 20 at the Cougar Den.