FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. —The Averett University football team played a complete second half on its way to defeating Methodist University 28-14 in its season finale on Saturday at Monarch Stadium.
 
Averett (5-5, 4-3 USA South) came out clicking on offense in the second half, moving the ball 81 yards down the field on eight plays to knot the score at 14-14 on its first possession. On second down, Cougars' sophomore quarterback Joshua Eubanks fired a pass over to senior receiver Terrance Owens II for a 32-yard completion. Two plays later, Eubanks found junior wide out Elijah Harris for a 25-yard reception that set up a first-and-goal for the Cougars. On the next play, sophomore Sean Bowman finished off the drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.
 
Next, it was the Cougars' defense's time to shine. On Methodist's first possession of the second half, freshman safety Ronnie Beatty picked off a Devan Cox pass and returned it 22 yards to give Averett the ball in its own territory. Eubanks took it from there, finding Owens for a 13-yard strike in the corner of the end zone to give the Cougars their first lead of the game at 21-14.
 
The Cougars doubled down on their lead early in the fourth quarter. Sophomore Bradley Jefferson recorded his first career interception to give Averett the ball 37 yards out. Bowman found some space on the right side and ran 27 yards to give the Cougars a two-possession lead with 12 minutes left in regulation.  
 
Bowman finished the game with 117 yards on 29 carries and scored on runs of 6 and 27 yards. He finished the year with 1,175 total yards and set a new program single-season record with 17 rushing touchdowns.
 
Owens, playing in his last collegiate game, made five catches for 85 yards and picked up a touchdown. He finished the season with 926 receiving yards to go along with catching seven touchdowns. Owens finishes his career with 2,218 total receiving yards, which ranks him second only to Jeff Hughley's program record of 2,925.
 
Eubanks was impressive all afternoon. He completed 17 of his 34 passes for 160 yards and tossed two touchdowns in his first varsity appearance.
 
Averett's defense was a key turning point in the game. The Cougars forced five Monarchs' turnovers, including three interceptions that helped Averett establish control in the second half. Jefferson and Beatty each recorded interceptions, while junior Don Warren came down with a pick as well. Warren also had nine tackles, including 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss.
 
Methodist (3-6, 2-4 USA South) got on the board first when Carlos McCracken stepped in front of a pass and took it back 35 yards to give the Monarchs a 7-0 lead with 6:48 left in the first quarter.
 
Methodist's defense stepped up and stopped Averett on its ensuing offensive possession. However, the Cougars got creative on the punt as sophomore Hunter Long deadened his kick perfectly to confuse the Monarchs' return corps. Averett took advantage of the confusion and jumped on the ball to get its offense back on the field at Methodist's 17-yard line. Several plays later, Eubanks found freshman receiver Rahim Mateen for a 13-yard touchdown pass that knotted the score at 7-7.
 
Neither team got on the board again until five minutes into the second quarter when Methodist's E'Montie Dears raced down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown score to give the Monarchs a seven-point lead. 

The game was a makeup contest after the original play date was postponed due to Hurricane Matthew on Oct. 8.