GREENSBORO, N.C. — Averett University football opened USA South Conference play with a 48-0 shutout of Greensboro College on Saturday afternoon on Joe Franks Field at Jamieson Stadium.

Averett (3-1, 1-0 USA South) dominated both sides of the ball against Greensboro (1-3, 0-1 USA South). With the offense putting up seven touchdowns and 510 yards, the Cougars' stout defense limited the Pride to a mere 9 yards of total offense, including minus-23 yards rushing for the game.

Led by senior Romello Herbin's team-high seven tackles and two sacks, Averett's defense totaled eight sacks in total, including two sacks as well by senior Devin Merritt, who also added an interception. The Cougars have shut out Greensboro in three consecutive meetings, with Averett outscoring the Pride 208-6 in their last four matchups.

With the defense thriving, Averett had little trouble building a sizable lead in the first half. The Cougars got on the scoreboard on senior Jacob Wright's 11-yard pass to junior receiver Isaiah Grice on Averett's first drive of the game. Wright added an 8-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Jarrod Mosby on the first play of the second quarter to push Averett's lead to 13-0.

Wright and senior running back Joshua Tapscott each found the end zone on the ground, rushing for a 7-yard touchdown and an 8-yard score, respectively. Wright added his third passing touchdown of the contest just before halftime when he found sophomore Chase Nixon for a 26-yard scoring play to help Averett take a 34-0 lead into halftime.
Averett's defense, meanwhile, kept Greensboro in check in the first half. The Cougars allowed minus-16 yards of total offense before halftime while giving up just one first down — which came one second before the half.

The Cougars scored two additional touchdowns in the second half. Tapscott got his second rushing touchdown of the game from 4 yards out midway through the third quarter to extend Averett's lead to 41-0, and Wright found sophomore Delquan Bigelow for a 16-yard touchdown catch to the left with under a minute left in the third to give the Cougars a 48-point advantage.

Wright accounted for five touchdowns, including four by air. He completed 15 of 20 passes for 185 yards. Nixon was his top target with six catches for 93 yards. Sophomore Jaleel Webster led Averett's running attack with five carries for 96 yards.

Averett also got a nice 67-yard punt return from sophomore Daquan Mason in the second quarter, which set up Tapscott's first touchdown.

Averett returns home to play conference foe LaGrange College at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12.