LAGRANGE, Ga. — LaGrange College's Graham Craig scored the game-winning touchdown on a 5-yard run with 1:36 left in the fourth quarter to help the Panthers edge the Averett University football team 30-29 on Saturday afternoon.
 
Until Craig's touchdown, Averett (1-3, 0-2 USA South) led the entire way putting points on the scoreboard early in the first quarter when junior quarterback Drew Evans connected with wide receiver Terrance Owens II for an 88-yard touchdown pass. Evans started at quarterback for the Cougars in place of senior Kirkland Brown who was injured this week.
 
Evans completed 17 of 21 passes for 225 yards and threw two interceptions.     
 
LaGrange (3-1, 1-1 USA South) fumbled the ball twice in two possessions, both recovered by freshman Jordan Bobo, and the Cougars maintained their offensive and defensive momentum. On third-and-26 midway through the first quarter, junior cornerback Dontae Gilbert picked off Craig's pass at the LaGrange 32-yard line and was taken down by Griffin Roelle 3 yards short of the end zone. The 29-yard interception return was Gilbert's first of the season.
 
Junior running back Ray Brown ran the ball in for the Cougars immediately after, but Hobie Proctor's extra point attempt was blocked as Averett took a 13-0 lead.
 
Coming into the second quarter, Averett was inside the red zone for another opportunity to score, but LaGrange's Larry Murdock recovered an Averett fumble to spot the ball on the Panthers' 7-yard line. Despite the turnover, the Cougars were able to capitalize as junior defensive end Matt Smith sacked Craig in the end zone for a safety and 15-point lead.
 
With three minutes remaining in the first half, LaGrange finally answered after three scoreless possessions. Following four consecutive passing plays starting at the LaGrange 45, Craig found Isaac Dixon for 18-yard touchdown pass, but it still wasn't enough. 
 
Averett led 22-7 at halftime after Brown's second touchdown of the afternoon.
 
But similar to Averett's game last week against Maryville College, the Panthers gradually crept from behind to catch the Cougars coming out of the break.
 
Evans had two turnovers in Averett's first two possessions of the second half that resulted in a touchdown and 22-yard field goal in two and a half minutes for LaGrange closing the gap to 22-17 with the Cougars still ahead.   
 
Averett seemed to get its offensive rhythm back with Morgan and freshman Travis Jones rushing through the defense. From 2 yards out, Jones ran his way in for a touchdown to put the Cougars ahead by 12 with 2:58 on the clock in the third quarter. He finished with 20 carries for 172 yards, Averett's fifth highest single-game total in the program's 15-year history.
 
The Panthers then put themselves within five points when Roelle scored on an 18-yard touchdown pass from Craig to end the quarter.
 
The Cougars had a chance to extend the lead to eight but missed a 44-yard field goal in the opening drive of the fourth quarter.
 
With three-and-outs the next two possessions for both teams, LaGrange regained possession of the ball with 6:40 left in regulation.
 
Still leading, Averett attempted to hold off LaGrange, but the Panthers continued to advance up the field. On third-and-two, the ball was spotted at the Averett 5-yard line, and Craig scored on a keeper to take the lead for the first time in the game with 1:36 left on the clock.
 
After a failed pass for a two-point conversion, the Cougars still had a chance to win with a field goal. Averett tried to advance the ball into field goal range but turned the ball over on downs.
 
Junior Xavier Morgan finished with 207 all-purpose yards with 129 coming from kick returns. Gilbert, Michael Reives and Nico Peterson had six tackles apiece for Averett. 

Averett returns to action next Saturday at N.C. Wesleyan College.