Box Score

DANVILLE, Va. — Huntingdon College defeated Averett 50-20 in USA South Conference play on Saturday afternoon at the Cougar Den.

Averett (1-7, 0-5 USA South) looked poised to knock off Huntingdon (6-2, 4-1 USA South) in the first quarter following sophomore Xavier Morgan's 78-yard punt return for a touchdown that put the Cougars ahead 7-0. That came two drives after Averett stuffed the Hawks on fourth-and-goal from the Cougars' 2-yard line.

Huntingdon, however, scored on its next possession to close the gap to 7-6 following a missed extra point. Averett's next drive stalled, and the Hawks drove deep into Cougar territory, only to once again come up empty. Averett had another successful goal line stand, stopping Huntingdon on fourth-and-goal from the Averett 1-yard line. Although that drive didn't pay off for the Huntingdon offense, the Hawks tackled Averett in the end zone for a safety on the Cougars' ensuing possession, giving Huntingdon an 8-6 lead with 8:43 left in the second quarter.

Huntingdon scored two more touchdowns before the half to go ahead 22-7 at the break. The Hawks' offensive success continued in the third quarter with three consecutive touchdowns as part of a 43-0 run.

Averett got its first offensive touchdown of the game late in the third quarter when freshman quarterback Cinco Simmons found senior receiver Justin Gillespie for a 14-yard score.

After Huntingdon added another long touchdown to start the fourth quarter, both teams remained silent until Averett junior quarterback Kirkland Brown led a six-play, 89-yard scoring drive in a little more than a minute and a half. Brown hit freshman Dante' Pinkston with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 to play.

Huntingdon, in its first year in the USA South Conference, totaled 717 yards of total offense.

Averett senior safety Stefan Varner led the Cougars with 10 tackles, while freshmen linebackers Kenny Fleming and Joshua Walker each had nine tackles.