DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football fell short in a 30-28 non-conference loss to Guilford College on Saturday night on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium. After leading by one entering the fourth quarter, the Cougars ran out of time after Guilford seized the lead early in the final frame.

A 2-yard touchdown run by sophomore Sean Bowman gave the Cougars a 21-20 lead over Guilford (3-0) — which is receiving votes in the latest D3Football.com poll — with 2:02 left in the third quarter. However, that lead didn't hold. The Quakers went back in front 23-21 on their first full drive of the fourth quarter thanks to a 24-yard field goal by Erick Fuentes. After Averett's next drive went three-and-out, Guilford again drove down the field for a scoring play. Guilford quarterback Karsten Miller found Daniel Woodruff for a 5-yard touchdown to cap a seven-play, 57-yard drive that gave the Quakers a 30-21 advantage with 5:57 to play.

Averett's offense answered the call to get the Cougars back within striking distance on the ensuing possession. A 34-yard pass down the middle from junior quarterback Kelly Hall to junior receiver Myles Bennett moved Averett into Guilford territory, and Hall eventually found senior receiver Terrance Owens II for a 21-yard touchdown with 3:08 to play.

Down 30-28 with all three timeouts left, Averett kicked deep and hoped for a defensive stop to get the ball back and finish off the comeback attempt. However, Guilford's offense picked up two first downs on the drive to eat up the final three-plus minutes and escape Danville with the victory.

Averett took a 14-7 lead into halftime after controlling the first half. The Cougars led 7-0 after the first quarter thanks to an 18-yard touchdown pass from Hall to senior receiver Michael Barbour Jr. Although Guilford tied the game early in the second quarter, Averett added a 13-yard touchdown pass to Bennett to go back in front.

After halftime, Guilford's offense found its rhythm. Miller tied the game on a 1-yard scamper, and went ahead 20-14 on a 13-yard Bou Howard touchdown reception from Miller with 4:29 left in the third quarter. Guilford's extra point attempt failed, keeping the lead at six.

Miller finished with 27 completions for 291 yards, including 15 passes for 136 yards to Tyriek Russell. De'Eric Bell had 146 yards on the ground for the Quakers on 27 carries.

For Averett, Bowman totaled 111 yards and one touchdown for his third career 100-yard performance. Hall threw for 146 yards and three touchdowns, with Bennett catching four passes for 80 yards and a score.

Averett's defense was led by sophomore Bradley Jefferson's eight tackles. Junior defensive linemen Don Warren, Kenneth Covington and Dejon Brooks gave Guilford fits all night as each finished with seven tackles while combining for 2.0 sacks. Junior linebacker Caleb Williams reeled in his second interception of the season for the game's only turnover not on downs.

During halftime, Averett officially dedicated the newly constructed Frank R. Campbell Stadium, named after the university's late President Emeritus.

The Cougars enter the bye week before opening conference play on the road at LaGrange College on Oct. 1.