DANVILLE, Va. — Senior running back Joshua Tapscott's four total touchdowns and a strong team effort on defense highlighted Averett University football's 55-7 conference win over LaGrange College on Saturday on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

Tapscott helped put Averett (4-1, 2-0 USA South) on the scoreboard first with his 35-yard breakaway touchdown run midway through the first quarter — his first of three rushing touchdowns. LaGrange (2-3, 0-2 USA South) fumbled the ball away three plays into its ensuing possession as senior defensive tackle Romello Herbin stripped the ball away from running back Brendon Scott and senior safety Hunter Hinson recovered it. That turnover set up Tapscott's second score of the day — a 1-yard touchdown run to give Averett a 13-0 lead with 2:21 left in the first quarter.

LaGrange scored its lone touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Cam Perkins to Jeremiah Engram midway through the second quarter. Averett, however, extended its lead to 20-7 late in the half on sophomore Jarrod Mosby's 75-yard touchdown pass from senior Jacob Wright.

Although LaGrange remained within striking distance entering the second half, Averett quickly began to pull away en route to the program's fourth 4-1 start in program history. Tapscott tacked on his third rushing touchdown — a 4-yard run — early in the third quarter, and the Cougars followed with a 32-yard touchdown pass from Wright to Mosby on their next possession.

Averett's special teams also got in on the scoring action. Freshman Isaiah Sharper got a piece of a LaGrange punt that sophomore Chase Nixon returned 26 yards for a touchdown to make it 41-7 Averett with 5:07 to play in the third quarter. Wright found Tapscott for a 26-yard touchdown pass at the end of the third quarter and senior running back Chris Francis added an 8-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter as the Cougars finished the contest with 42 unanswered points against LaGrange.

As a team, Averett rushed for 218 net yards, led by Tapscott's 60 yards on 12 carries. Mosby surpassed 100 yards receiving with three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns. Wright completed 12 of 22 passes for a career-high 263 yards and three scores.

Averett's defense totaled six sacks against LaGrange, including two by freshman Johnathan Terrell. Senior Devin Merritt, juniors JaVon Lofton and Maleek Pulliam and sophomore Joseph Ledbetter also had sacks for the Cougars. Junior Terrell England added an interception for Averett, which got a team-high eight tackles from senior Conner Showalter.

Averett returns to action on Saturday, Oct. 19, against N.C. Wesleyan College at 6 p.m. for Homecoming Weekend.