Box Score


LEXINGTON, Va. — Junior Jeremy Clifton's interception return for a touchdown sealed Averett's fourth quarter rally as the Cougars came from behind to beat Washington & Lee University on Saturday at Wilson Field. Clifton's 26-yard return with under two minutes to play capped Averett's run of 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.

Turnovers and missed opportunities plagued Averett (2-1) in the first half, but the Cougars defense limited Washington & Lee (1-2) to just one touchdown in the first half. That score came on Charlie Westfal's 13-yard run on the Generals' first drive, which was the result of an Averett interception.

Washington & Lee's 7-0 lead held up through the first half after Averett had a long field goal attempt blocked late in the second quarter. The Generals increased their lead to 10-0 after a 37-yard field foal by Peter Alston with 2:49 left in the third quarter.

Down by two possessions, Averett began to make its final push. The Cougars answered with a 45-yard field goal by sophomore Brad Scott less than a minute into the fourth quarter.

After Washington & Lee's next drive stalled, Averett continued its comeback march. Freshman quarterback Kirkland Brown found D3Football.com Preseason All-American Jeremy Dixon for a 39-yard gain that put the Cougars inside the red zone. Senior running back James Wilson finished the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and Scott's extra point tied the game at 10-10 with 6:19 remaining.

Averett's defense continued to flourish, holding the reeling Generals to three-and-out on their ensuing possession. A poor punt by Washington & Lee gave Averett the ball on the Generals' 25-yard line. Although Averett couldn't find the end zone, the Cougars settled with a go-ahead 33-yard field goal by Scott with 2:06 to play.

Westfal tried to rally Washington & Lee in the final two minutes, but his pass was picked off by Clifton, who put Averett ahead by 10. The Generals' final possession was fumbled away and the Cougars kneeled and ran out the clock to earn their second consecutive win this season and their second win over the Generals in as many years.

Wilson led Averett's offense with his first 100-yard rushing game as a Cougar. He had 21 carries for 116 yards and one score.

Senior linebacker Mario Huffman led the Averett defense with a team-high 12 tackles and one forced fumble. Junior linebacker Matthew Smith added nine tackles, a fumble recovery and a sack in his season debut.

Averett returns to action next Saturday when it opens its USA South Conference schedule against Greenboro College, which falls on the Cougars' Homecoming Weekend. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Cougar Den.