MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Averett University football's comeback attempt in the fourth quarter fell short as Huntington College prevailed 41-35 on Saturday in a battle of the last two remaining teams in the USA South Conference standings.
 
After Huntingdon (5-2, 4-0 USA South) extended its lead to 34-21 early in the fourth quarter, Averett (5-2, 3-1 USA South) answered immediately. Senior quarterback Jacob Wright hit sophomore receiver Jarrod Mosby for a 65-yard touchdown pass to get the Cougars back within a possession, 34-28, with 11:32 remaining.

The Hawks, however, answered right back with a long scoring play of their own. On the second play from scrimmage, Kobe Smith broke a 46-yard touchdown run to push Huntingdon's lead back to 41-28 with 10:52 left.

Averett closed the gap once again thanks to a 66-yard kickoff return by senior Chris Francis that put the Cougars on the Huntingdon 13-yard line on their ensuing possession. Five plays later, Wright ran it in from the 1-yard line to get Averett back within 41-35.

The Cougars' defense held Huntingdon to three-and-out, giving Averett one of two chances late to try to go in front. The Cougars' offense crossed midfield, but an errant pass was picked off by Huntingdon at the Hawks' 33-yard line. Averett's defense again held the Hawks to another three-and-out, giving the Cougars the ball back with 1:09 to play. Averett's pass downfield was intercepted again, which allowed Huntingdon to kneel out the clock.

Huntingdon now is in the driver's seat to win the USA South with three games remaining.

The Hawks opened with a 7-0 lead on an Eric Thomas 1-yard touchdown run, but the Cougars tied it before the end of the first quarter on Francis' 1-yard score. Averett took its only lead of the game early in the second quarter when Wright found sophomore receiver Chase Nixon for a 14-yard touchdown across the middle of the end zone.

Huntingdon answered with a pair of touchdown passes before the half to take a 21-14 advantage into the locker rooms at the break.

In the third quarter, Huntingdon quarterback Michael Lambert found Otis Porter for the first of his two touchdowns to extend the Hawks' lead to 27-14 after the missed extra point attempt. Averett answered midway through the quarter with senior Joshua Tapscott's 5-yard catch from Wright to trim the Cougars' deficit to 27-21.
 
Tapscott notched his second consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, totaling 107 net yards on the ground. Mosby led the receiving group with three catches for 92 yards. Nixon also added 70 yards on five catches. Wright finished his afternoon with 193 passing yards and three passing touchdowns.
 
Senior Conner Showalter led Averett's defense with 10 tackles, while senior Octavius Ross had nine tackles and sophomore Joseph Ledbetter had eight tackles. Senior Ka'seim Black added an interception.

The Cougars return home to play Maryville College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2.