ASHLAND, Va. — Averett University football scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Cougars' comeback ran out of time in a 24-14 non-conference loss to Randolph-Macon College on Saturday night.
 
Randolph-Macon (1-1) led 17-0 after three quarters when Averett (1-1) fought back to get within three. Junior quarterback Jacob Wright helped the Cougars escape the shadow of their goal line with a 37-yard pass to senior Oran Davis. Averett continued to march down the field for a 99-yard scoring drive that culminated with Wright's 13-yard touchdown run up the middle to trim the Randolph-Macon lead to 17-7.
 
Averett's defense, which limited Randolph-Macon to just three points in the first half, stepped up on the Yellow Jacket's ensuing possession. Senior safety Octavius Ross picked off quarterback Burke Estes near midfield and returned the interception to the Randolph-Macon 18-yard line. On the next play, Wright found the end zone from 18 yards out to cut the Yellow Jackets' advantage to 17-14 with 11:52 to play.
 
Randolph-Macon, however, answered with a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive on its ensuing possession. The Yellow Jackets picked up a 26-yard pass on third and 8 deep in Averett territory to eventually set up Justin DeLeon's 4-yard touchdown run with 7:05 left.
 
Averett's next drive stalled and the Cougars were stopped on fourth down. Randolph-Macon ate up the clock with its next drive. Although Averett got the ball back, the Yellow Jackets picked off a pass with 20 seconds to play to seal the win.
 
The two teams' defenses played well in the first half. Randolph-Macon's first drive ended in a blocked field goal by senior Bradley Jefferson. Meanwhile, the Yellow Jackets forced and recovered a fumble on the Cougars' first possession. Averett's defense also got an interception from senior cornerback Ethan Williams on Randolph-Macon's following possession.
 
The Cougars had several scoring opportunities but missed two first-half field goal attempts. Randolph-Macon took a 3-0 lead into halftime thanks to a 21-yard field goal midway through the second quarter.
 
Wright rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries. He also completed 10-of-21 passes for 144 yards with the one interception in the final seconds. Davis caught three passes for 61 yards to lead the receivers.
 
Senior linebacker Dejon Brooks led Averett's defense with 11 tackles, while senior linebacker Seth Brendle added seven tackles and freshman Joseph Ledbetter had six solo tackles.
 
Averett finishes its non-conference slate when the Cougars play host to rival Ferrum College on Saturday, Sept. 15, at 6 p.m. on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.