ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. — Senior running back Sean Bowman set the program's all-time career rushing record as Averett University's football team knocked off N.C. Wesleyan College 24-14 in a battle of unbeaten teams in USA South Conference play Saturday night.

Bowman rushed for a career-high 229 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries to pass former Averett standout Kyle Wilson (2003-06) on the program's all-time career rushing list. Bowman needed just 116 yards to surpass Wilson, who totaled 3,046 yards during his career. With his one touchdown, Bowman also inched within two scores of setting the USA South's career rushing touchdown record of 40.

Although Averett (4-1, 3-0 USA South) used Bowman often throughout the contest, it was sophomore running back Denarius Hilton who put the Cougars on the scoreboard first against N.C. Wesleyan (3-2, 2-1 USA South). After junior quarterback Jacob Wright found senior running back Paul Wiles for a 38-yard reception that got Averett down to the 1-yard line, Hilton ran it in to put the Cougars ahead 7-0 with 7:10 left in the first quarter.

Averett rode Bowman to its second touchdown early in the second quarter. Starting at the N.C. Wesleyan 49-yard line, Bowman ripped off runs of 21 yards, 9 yards and finally 19 yards for a touchdown to give the Cougars a 14-0 advantage.

The Cougars' defense played a solid first half, limiting N.C. Wesleyan to just 106 total yards of offense in the first half. However, the Bishops used a big defensive play to get on the scoreboard. N.C. Wesleyan caused a fumble on a sack, and Antonio Johnson picked up the loose ball and ran it back 59 yards for a touchdown to get the Bishops within 14-7 with eight seconds left in the half.

Averett cooked the first seven and half minutes of the third quarter with a 15-play drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal by junior Cole Westberry, increasing the Cougars' advantage to 17-7. Averett added another touchdown in a drive that spanned the third and fourth quarter. Wright hooked up with senior Kobe Campbell for a 14-yard score on the first play of the fourth quarter to help Averett take a 24-7 lead.
Although the Cougars' defense halted the ensuing N.C. Wesleyan drive near midfield, Averett fumbled the punt, giving the Bishops the ball back at the Cougars'30-yard line. Seven plays later, Donielle Totten completed a 6-yard pass to Ben Dorfman for a touchdown, pulling N.C. Wesleyan within 24-14 with 8:47 to play.

Averett's next drive stalled, leaving the door open for the Bishops, who drove into the Cougars' red zone. Yet, senior cornerback Ethan Williams slammed it shut and ended any hope of a N.C. Wesleyan comeback with an interception on the Averett 7-yard line with 2:56 remaining.

After Williams' second interception of the season, Averett's offense picked up two first downs to run out the clock and get a big conference road win — the Cougars' second in a row on the Bishops' home field.

In addition to Bowman's record-setting night, Wright finished with 132 yards through the air on 10-of-18 passing. Half of his completions went to senior Oran Davis, who had five catches for 48 yards.

Senior linebacker Dejon Brooks recorded another double-digit tackle night with 10 total tackles. Senior Seth Brendle had six tackles and senior Bradley Jefferson added five tackles for the defense, which held N.C. Wesleyan to just 224 total yards of offense.

Averett and Maryville College (3-2, 3-0 USA South) are the lone remaining unbeaten teams in USA South play.

The Cougars return home on Oct. 20 to play preseason conference favorite Huntingdon College (1-4, 1-2 USA South), which picked up its first win of the season in a 52-17 rout of Brevard College on Saturday.