Box Score

FERRUM, Va. — Averett couldn't overcome a first-half deficit in a 42-20 conference loss at Ferrum College on a dreary Saturday afternoon.

After falling behind 14-0 early in the second quarter, Averett (1-6, 0-4 USA South) got on the scoreboard with senior fullback Blake Lewis's 2-yard touchdown run with 4:43 left in the half. The Cougars couldn't keep Ferrum (2-4, 2-1 USA South) out of the end zone before the end of the period as Panthers quarterback Tim Reynolds ran in the first of his two touchdowns to increase Ferrum's lead to 21-7 with 1:07 left in the second quarter.

After halftime, Ferrum pushed its lead to 28-7 on Tae Gilbert's 21-yard touchdown run, and Reynolds added his second touchdown with a 7-yard run on the Panthers' next possession to pull out to a 35-7 lead.

The Cougars mounted a comeback attempt late in the third quarter. Sophomore running back Ray Brown scored from 1 yard out, which trimmed the Ferrum lead to 35-13 after Averett missed the extra point attempt. Early in the fourth quarter, freshman quarterback Cinco Simmons found senior receiver Justin Gillespie for a 39-yard gain. On the next play, Simmons hit sophomore running back Xavier Morgan for a 14-yard touchdown to get Averett within 35-20 with 12:59 to play.

Averett's defense forced Ferrum to go 3-and-out on its next possession and got the ball back on its own 45-yard line. A 34-yard pass from Simmons to sophomore Adaryal Jones Jr. got the Cougars down to the 21-yard line, but the Cougars couldn't capitalize. On third and goal from the 8-yard line, Simmons' pass was tipped and intercepted by Anthony Orton and returned 62 yards to the Averett 38.

After the defense stopped Ferrum and forced a punt, Averett had its next drive extended thanks to a 21-yard pass from senior punter Zachary Richman to sophomore Michael Reives on fourth down. However, the Cougars' drive stalled and they gave the ball over on downs with 4:18 to play.

Ferrum added another touchdown on Gilbert's 14-yard run to extend its lead to 42-20 with 1:23 to play, all but sealing the game.

Gilbert and Reynolds finished with 116 yards and 100 yards rushing, respectively. Reynolds also threw for 247 yards and a touchdown to lead the Ferrum offense.

Simmons led Averett's offense with 232 yards passing. Gillespie caught six passes for 89 yards.

Averett had a chance to go ahead 3-0 early after Morgan's 42-yard run up the middle put the Cougars in Ferrum territory, but the Cougars missed a 39-yard field goal attempt.

Averett's defense was led by senior cornerback Zachary Grkman, who had a team-high eight tackles to go along with an interception.

The Cougars have a bye week before returning to action on Nov. 2 at home against Huntingdon College.