DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football celebrated Homecoming with a 41-24 conference victory over N.C. Wesleyan College on Saturday night in front of more than 2,800 fans at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.

In a battle featuring two of the USA South Conference's three unbeaten teams in league play, Averett (5-1, 3-0 USA South) all but sealed the game with senior quarterback Jacob Wright's 1-yard touchdown run with 3:01 to play in the fourth quarter, which extended the Cougars' lead back to three possessions over N.C. Wesleyan (3-3, 2-1 USA South).

Averett lead 20-17 at halftime, but the Cougars used their passing game to put up a pair of touchdowns in the third quarter to add some cushion. The first score of the period was set up by junior safety Diaunte Neufville's interception on a deep pass attempt in Averett territory. That ensuing Averett drive culminated with Wright's 12-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Chase Nixon to make it 27-17 with 8:41 to play in the third. After N.C. Wesleyan's next drive went three-and-out, Wright found Nixon again for a 34-yard touchdown to push the Cougars' lead to 34-17.

The Cougars were driving again early in the fourth quarter when N.C. Wesleyan linebacker Antonio Johnson stripped the ball away on an Averett rushing attempt, and the reigning USA South Defensive Player of the Year raced 82 yards for a touchdown to get the Bishops within 34-24 and give them hope with 9:37 remaining.

With a 10-point lead, Averett's offense stayed on the ground as the Cougars ate up clock. Averett knocked off nearly six minutes as it worked its way down the field. N.C. Wesleyan forced the Cougars to settle for a 22-yard field goal, but a Bishops penalty on the made attempt gave Averett a first down. The Cougars elected to take the points off the board and continue the drive, which resulted in Wright's run from inches outside of the end zone.

Averett accumulated 502 total yards of offense, marking the third consecutive game the Cougars had eclipsed the 500-yard mark. Senior running back Joshua Tapscott netted his first 100-yard rushing game, carrying the ball 20 times for 147 yards for an average of 7.3 yards per attempt. His 16-yard touchdown run early in the first quarter gave Averett a 6-0 advantage.

N.C. Wesleyan briefly took a 7-6 lead less than two minutes later on Tyler Roberts' 6-yard pass from Donielle Totten. Yet, as quickly as the Bishops answered, Averett fired right back. Wright found Nixon for the first of their three touchdown connections with a 66-yard scoring play to put the Cougars back in front 13-7 with 6:18 left in the first quarter.

Nixon finished with a career-high 167 yards and three touchdowns on six catches — the third most receiving yards in a single game in program history. Wright totaled 262 passing yards and three touchdowns.

N.C. Wesleyan got within 13-10 on Eddie Graham's 29-yard field goal late in the first quarter. Averett added a 7-yard touchdown run by senior Chris Francis late in the half to make it 20-10, but N.C. Wesleyan's Jeff Black ripped off a 75-yard touchdown run on the next play from scrimmage to help pull the Bishops within 20-17 at halftime.

Senior linebacker Conner Showalter led the Averett defense with six tackles, including one for a loss, and an interception — his third of the season. Senior Hunter Hinson and Neufville each added five tackles for the Cougars. Senior Ka'seim Black added a team-best three pass breakups, including two on a late N.C. Wesleyan possession as the Bishops tried to claw back in the final minutes.

Saturday's win over N.C. Wesleyan sets up a crucial match in next week's contest when Averett travels to play Huntingdon College, the USA South's only other undefeated team in conference play.