DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football dominated defending conference champion and preseason favorite Huntingdon College 45-17 to remain unbeaten in USA South Conference play Saturday evening on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

Although Averett (5-1, 4-0 USA South) led the entire game after scoring a touchdown in the opening minutes of the game, it was the defense and special teams that sparked the Cougars in the second half as they pulled away to secure their best start in the program's 19-year history.

Huntingdon (1-5, 1-3 USA South) pulled within 17-10 on a field goal on its opening drive of the second half, but that momentum faded quickly on senior Bradley Jefferson's ensuing 77-yard kickoff return down to the Hawks' 12-yard line that got additional yards tacked on thanks to a horse-collar tackle that brought Jefferson down. Four plays later, junior quarterback Jacob Wright hit senior receiver Garett Touchard in the middle of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown pass — Touchard's first career catch —to extend Averett's lead back to 24-10 with 9:16 left in the third quarter.

The Cougars didn't let up from there. Freshman defensive end Joseph Ledbetter returned a scoop-and-score fumble 36 yards for a touchdown less than two minutes later to increase Averett's lead to 31-10. Huntingdon's next play from scrimmage was picked off by sophomore Diaunté Neufville. The Cougars' offense drove down and scored again, finishing with Wright's 8-yard rush up the middle through traffic.

Wright also found senior Oran Davis for a 13-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter to push Averett's lead to 45-10.

Although Huntingdon scored a touchdown late, it wasn't enough as Averett knocked off the three-time defending champs for the second time ever. However, it was the first win against the Hawks since Huntingdon joined the conference in 2013.

Despite the large margin of victory, the score wasn't indicative of the close game in the first half. Averett led 7-0 early on Wright's 57-yard touchdown to senior Rayvon Johnson on the first drive of the game. Huntingdon looked poised to answer immediately, driving into the red zone. However, Michael Lambert's pass was picked off in the end zone by Averett junior safety Hunter Hinson.

Huntingdon's drive early in the second quarter put the Hawks on the goal line. Yet, Averett's defense stuffed three consecutive runs on the 1-yard line — including one on fourth down to keep Huntingdon off the scoreboard.

Averett went ahead 14-0 on a 6-yard touchdown run by senior Sean Bowman, who tied the USA South career rushing touchdowns record on the play a week after he broke the Averett program mark for career rushing yards.

Huntingdon finally broke through on a trick play late in the second quarter. Receiver Cody Dwyer took the handoff and found a wide-open Hampton Hamner in the end zone for a 21-yard touchdown to close the gap to 14-7 with 1:55 before the half. Yet, it was plenty of time for Averett to add one more score before halftime. The Cougars drove down for a 34-yard field goal by junior Cole Westberry to help Averett take a 17-7 advantage into the locker room.

Bowman rushed 18 times for 129 yards to lead a stable of Averett rushers that featured three different backs who ran for a long of more than 30 yards. Bowman had a long of 60 yards, while senior Paul Wiles broke a 42-yard run and junior Chris Francis had a 33-yard carry to help Averett total 324 yards on the ground as a team. Wright, meanwhile, completed seven of 12 passes for 134 yards and three touchdowns.

Ledbetter totaled nine tackles in addition to his fumble return for a touchdown, while senior Dejon Brooks had eight tackles and seniors Evan Williams and Seth Brendle each had seven.

Jefferson, who had six tackles and three pass breakups, nearly doubled his kickoff return yardage for the season, finishing with three returns for 200 yards — including a 93-yard return late in the fourth quarter.

Averett travels to Maryville College next Saturday for a 2 p.m. kickoff in a crucial matchup against the USA South's final two unbeaten teams in league play.