LEXINGTON, Va. — Averett University football opened the season with a 63-35 non-conference loss to Washington and Lee University on Friday night at Wilson Field.

Washington and Lee (1-0), which snapped Averett's three-game winning streak against the Generals, used its ground attack to score all nine of its touchdowns. The run-heavy Generals totaled 649 rushing yards on 80 carries, both opponent single-game records.

Averett (0-1) trailed 35-7 midway through the second quarter when the Cougars turned to senior quarterback Drew Evans for a spark. Evans found senior running back Ray Brown for a screen pass that turned into a 30-yard completion and helped set up a 4-yard touchdown run later in the drive for Evans, which cut Washington and Lee's lead to 35-14 before halftime.

The Cougars gained more momentum in the second half by closing the gap even more on their second possession of the third quarter. Evans found junior receiver Michael Barbour for consecutive receptions of 15 yards and 20 yards to get deep into Generals territory. Brown then finished the job with a 23-yard touchdown run to get Averett within 35-21 with 10:09 left in the third quarter.

Washington and Lee, however, quickly stole the momentum back. On its fourth play of its ensuing possession, quarterback Charlie Rush scampered 57 yards for a touchdown. It was the first of four touchdowns in as many possessions for the Generals, who seized control of the game from there.

Averett added a 28-yard touchdown pass from Evans to junior Clifton Glover and a 3-yard touchdown run by sophomore Caleb Williams in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough.
Evans completed 21 of 33 passes for 256 yards. Sophomore quarterback Kelly Hall, who started, finished with 99 yards passing and senior Garrett DuBose completed eight passes for 95 yards late.

Averett's first score of the game came with some fireworks. Hall found junior Brandon Couden for a 77-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to cut Washington and Lee's lead to 14-7. Couden totaled a career-high 122 yards receiving on four catches.

Defensively, Averett was led by sophomores Elijah Harris and Don Warren, who each had nine tackles. Senior Michael Reives added eight tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery.

Averett returns to action when the Cougars make their 2015 home debut on Sept. 12 against Randolph-Macon College.