Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. — Averett football lost a heartbreaker, falling to Methodist University 33-27 in double overtime on Saturday.

With the game tied 27-27 at the end of regulation, Methodist fumbled away its first possession. Averett had its opportunity to win, but the Cougars' 26-yard field goal missed wide left.

Averett couldn't convert on fourth down during its first possession of the second overtime, opening the door for the Monarchs. Methodist's Darius Page rattled off a 27-yard run that eventually set up the game-winner 5-yard touchdown rush to send Averett to its first overtime loss in program history.

Methodist led 7-0 after the first quarter, but Averett tied it early in the second quarter on Martin Smith's 1-yard touchdown run. Although Methodist regained the lead midway through the quarter, Averett tied it at 14-14 just before the half on Nathan Driver's 8-yard run.

The Cougars went up 21-14 in the third on Terence Brandon's 1-yard score. Methodist, however, managed to tie it by the end of the quarter.

Averett's defense stepped up to help regain the lead. Calvin Williams returned an interception 74 yards for a touchdown, but the extra point was blocked, forcing the Cougars to settle for a 27-21 advantage. That proved to be costly as Methodist scored on a 2-yard run with 4:27 to play and missed the extra point, which led to overtime.

Ke'Von White led Averett's ground game with 28 carries for 106 yards, while Justin Gillespie led the receivers with six catches for 64 yards.