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NEWPORT NEWS, Va. — Averett's defense stopped Christopher Newport on fourth down in the final minute to help the Cougars prevail with a 17-9 victory at POMOCO Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Averett (4-1, 2-0 USA South) clung to its lead throughout the fourth quarter as it earned only its second win alltime in 10 contests against the Captains and first in Newport News.

Tied 3-3 at halftime, Averett opened the third quarter with long kickoff return by senior Logan Smyth that put the Cougars into CNU territory. Eight plays and seven rushes later, senior running back James Wilson broke through the goal line on fourth down for a 1-yard touchdown. Sophomore Brad Scott's extra point gave the Cougars a 10-3 lead, which proved to be huge.

Christopher Newport (1-4, 1-1 USA South) marched down the field on its ensuing possession for a 2-yard run by Myles Reid. However, Captains kicker Ryan Trotman missed the point after to keep Averett's lead intact.

Averett added some insurance in the fourth quarter, scoring on its first possession. The Cougars kept feeding Wilson to help eat up the clock, and Wilson found the end zone again on a 1-yard run with 8:10 to play. He finished with a game-high 103 yards on 27 carries — his third consecutive 100-yard rushing game.

The Cougars' defense, which had been stingy all afternoon, continued to shine. Averett recovered a CNU fumble and drove deep into the Captains' red zone. However, penalties backed the Cougars up and Scott's 39-yard field goal attempt was wide.

CNU had one final opportunity to close the game, but quarterback Matt Long's pass on fourth down sailed incomplete and the Averett offense kneeled one to seal the win.

Averett's only other victory against CNU came in 2005 in a 38-30 win over the Captains in Danville. In their prior nine meetings, the team that scored first won each time. That proved to be true again on Saturday. Following an interception by Averett cornerback Jerel Robinson on the first play from scrimmage, the Cougars settled for a 43-yard field goal by Scott to go ahead 3-0 in the opening minutes.

The Cougars had several other opportunities to put points on the board but couldn't capitalize. Averett's defense continued to limit the Captains as well. Christopher Newport just before halftime with a 35-yard field goal by Trotman to set up a heated second half as the team's battled back and forth down the stretch.

Averett's offense outgained CNU 363-296 in total offensive yards. Cougars senior quarterback Cody Ladutko threw for 235 yards and completed 12 of 16 passes. His favorite target was senior Jeremy Dixon, who caught four passes for 103 yards — his second 100-yard receiving game in a row and third this season.

Linebackers Mario Huffman and Matthew Smith had seven tackles apiece for the Averett defense, which got two interceptions from freshman Stefan Varner and one from Robinson.

Averett, which sits atop the USA South standings in a tie with defending champion N.C. Wesleyan College. The Cougars return to action at home next Saturday against Maryville College at 1 p.m.