DANVILLE, Va. — Maryville College stopped Averett University on fourth down in the final minutes to escape with a 31-26 win Saturday afternoon in USA South Conference football action at Daly Field.
 
Averett (1-5, 1-2 USA South) rallied back from a 24-6 hole in the second half thanks to a solid defensive effort that sparked the offense. The Cougars pulled within five points of Maryville (6-1, 3-1 USA South) twice in the fourth quarter, the final time coming on freshman Sean Bowman's 4-yard touchdown run with 4:59 remaining.

Trailing 31-26 after Bowman's second touchdown of the game, Maryville looked to either drive for another score or, at worst, run down the clock. However, Nick Myers' pass on third down on the Scots' own 19-yard line was picked off by Averett sophomore Caleb Williams to give the Cougars a huge opportunity.

Averett had second-and-1 from Maryville's 9-yard line, and Bowman rushed for what would have been a first down. Instead, a holding penalty negated the gain and pushed the Cougars back to the Maryville 19. After Bown rushed for 2 yards on second down and Averett's pass attempt fell incomplete on third down, the Cougars faced a fourth-and-9 from the Maryville 17. Averett tried to catch the Scots off guard with a run, but Bowman could only get five of the 10 yards needed for the first down.

Maryville took over on downs with 1:53 to play and drove into Averett territory before kneeling out the clock to preserve the road victory.

Averett led 6-0 early following sophomore Travis Jones' 1-yard run early in the first quarter. Yet, Averett struggled to find similar success on offense the rest of the half. Maryville, meanwhile, scored 24 consecutive points — including three rushing touchdowns by quarterback Evan Pittenger —that allowed the Scots to take a 24-6 advantage into halftime.

Bowman helped the Cougars close the gap with a 5-yard touchdown run midway through the third quarter, and sophomore Kelly Hall added a 1-yard rushing touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter to cut Maryville's lead to 24-19. The Scots answered with Pittenger's fourth rushing touchdown of the game to extend their lead to 12 with 7:59 to play.

Pittenger rushed for 104 yards and threw for 142 yards to lead Maryville.

Offensively for Averett, the Cougars got career days from Bowman and senior wide receiver Terrance Owens II. Bowman finished with 111 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 17 carries. Owens caught five passes for a career-best 137 yards, his fourth career 100-yard game.

Senior cornerback Jamal Forney had a solid performance to lead the defense. He finished with a team-high nine tackles to go with two pass breakups. Freshman Ti'Shawn Ferguson-Daniels added eight tackles, including one sack. Williams and junior Kevin Norcott each had an interception.

Averett returns to action with its final home game of the season on Oct. 31 when the Cougars host N.C. Wesleyan College at 1 p.m. at Daly Field.