LAGRANGE, Ga. — Junior quarterback Jacob Wright threw for four touchdowns and Averett University's defense handled the rest as the Cougars pulled away to a 38-14 conference road win at LaGrange College at Callaway Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Averett (3-1, 2-0 USA South) scored 35 consecutive points after trailing 7-3 late in the second quarter. LaGrange (1-4, 0-2 USA South) scored its only points of the second half on a touchdown in the final seconds of the game.

The Cougars' offense found success through the air in the first half, but it was a big special teams play that got Averett going late in the second quarter following LaGrange's touchdown that gave the Panthers a 7-3 advantage with 4:32 left in the half.

Averett quickly stole the momentum right back when senior Bradley Jefferson appeared to have returned the ensuing kickoff 81 yards for a touchdown. However, Cougars were flagged for a controversial unsportsmanlike conduct penalty before Jefferson reached the end zone, which negated his second kickoff return for touchdown this season.

Although it was a minor setback, the penalty gave Averett the ball on the LaGrange 25-yard line and two plays later Jacob Wright found senior receiver Oran Davis for a 20-yard score down the left side to help the Cougars reclaim a 10-7 advantage with 3:19 left in the second quarter.

LaGrange's third play from scrimmage on the Panthers' next drive was picked off by senior linebacker Conner Showalter at the LaGrange 40-yard line. Wright connected with senior receiver Rayvon Johnson down the middle for a 29-yard touchdown two plays later to extend Averett's lead to 17-7 with 1:33 to go in the half. Averett's defense halted LaGrange's late drive as time ran out, preserving the Cougars' 10-point lead entering halftime.

Wright and Davis connected for a second time midway through the third quarter. Davis' 12-yard touchdown reception gave Averett a 24-7 lead. Less than five minutes later, Wright tossed his fourth touchdown of the day when he found senior receiver Kobe Campbell for a 13-yard score — his first career touchdown.

Ahead 31-7, Averett's running game opened up with several long rushes, culminating with senior Sean Bowman's breakaway 35-yard touchdown run up the middle to increase the Cougars' lead 31 points.

Wright completed 16 of 25 passes for 185 yards and four touchdowns. Davis caught eight passes for 71 yards and two touchdowns, while Johnson had four receptions for 71 yards and one score. On the ground, Bowman led the Cougars with 71 yards on 15 rushes to move within 116 yards of breaking the Averett program record for rushing yards and get within three of the conference's career rushing touchdown mark.

As Averett's offense found success, the Cougars' defense relatively held LaGrange in check. In addition to two interceptions, Averett recorded two sacks and seven tackles for loss as the Cougars pressured the Panthers' offense all day. Seniors Dejon Brooks and Ethan Williams and freshman Joseph Ledbetter each had seven total tackles.

Averett opened scoring with a junior Cole Westberry's 31-yard field goal on the Cougars' first drive of the game. LaGrange broke through with a scoring drive early in the second quarter. Drew Lewiski scored from 13 yards out to put the Panthers in front 7-3 with 4:23 to play in the half.

LaGrange's final score came on a 21-yard pass with two seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

Averett travels to N.C. Wesleyan College for a 7 p.m. game on Oct. 13.