DANVILLE, Va. — In a game where neither team could get their offenses going, Ferrum College defeated Averett University 14-3 in USA South Conference football action on Saturday night on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
Ferrum (6-3, 4-2 USA South) came in with a solid game plan for stopping Averett's running game and it worked. The Panthers' defense limited Averett (4-4, 3-2 USA South) to just 44 total yards of rushing on 11 attempts and to 271 total yards of offense and a lone field goal.
 
Averett's defense hung tough all night as well, making several key stops with its back against the wall. The Cougars had four players finish the night with double-digit tackles. Sophomore Seth Brendle led Averett's defense with a career-high 13 tackles, including seven solo and freshman Hunter Hinson picked up a career-best 12 tackles with 10 of them being solo. Sophomore Dejon Brooks picked up a career-high 11 tackles and senior Jamal Forney finished with 10.  
 
The deciding factor in the game came late in the fourth quarter. With only 29 ticks left on the clock, the Panthers' Chase Deaton stepped up and booted a 26-yard field goal put the game out of reach.
 
On the verge of being shutout with just over five minutes left in the game, freshman Cole Westberry kicked his 10th field goal of the year — a 30-yarder — to get Averett within a possession at 11-3. Ferrum, though, would move the ball 44 yards on 10 plays on its next possession to get Deaton in range for the field goal.
 
Deaton finished the night with field goals of 26 and 20 yards to account for six of the Panthers' 14 points.
 
The first half featured solid defensive performances from both teams. Ferrum recorded the only points of the half when it stopped the Cougars in the end zone for a safety and 2-0 advantage at the 10:56 mark of the first quarter.
 
On their next drive, the Panthers appeared to be heading toward a score, but the Cougars' defense stepped up and put a stop to Ferrum's drive. The Panthers called on Deaton for a 26-yard field goal, but he missed his attempt. Late in the second quarter, Ferrum moved the ball 59 yards down the field on 12 plays to get down to Averett's 12-yard line. Once again, though, Averett's defense stepped up and forced an incomplete pass from Harvey Taylor on fourth down to end the Panthers' drive.
 
Ferrum held a 2-0 lead at halftime.
 
Averett sophomore quarterback Joshua Long had a solid game in his first career start. Long completed 27 of his 47 passes for 227 yards. Senior receiver Terrance Owens II hauled in six passes for 84 yards, while junior wide out Elijah Harris recorded six catches for 31 yards. Senior Brandon Couden picked up 47 yards on five catches.
 
Averett hosts USA South foe Huntingdon College at 1 p.m. on Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.