FERRUM, Va. — Averett University football dominated both sides of the ball as the Cougars took down rival Ferrum College 35-12 on Saturday afternoon.
Averett senior quarterback
Jacob Wright threw for a career-high 234Â yards and two touchdowns and scored twice on the ground. Meanwhile, the Averett defense limited Ferrum to just four field goals to help the Cougars give head coach
Cleive Adams a victory on the same day his alma mater inducted him into the Ferrum Sports Hall of Fame prior to the game.
Ferrum (1-1) led 3-0 early after driving into the Averett red zone before the Cougars' defense forced the Panthers to settle for a 21-yard field goal on their first possession. However, Averett (2-1) quickly took the lead two plays later. Senior
Joshua Tapscott, who had kickoff returns for touchdowns in each of Averett's first two games this season, nearly made it three in a row. Tapscott raced 76 yards to the Ferrum 20-yard line before being tackled. On the next play, Wright found sophomore receiver
Chase Nixon for a 20-yard touchdown completion to put the Cougars in front 7-3.
After Ferrum added another field goal to get back within 7-6, Wright went 5-for-5 passing on the ensuing drive, which was capped by his 12-yard touchdown run to extend Averett's advantage to 14-6 with 6:48 left in the first quarter.
Although Ferrum's third drive also ended with a field goal thanks to another strong defensive effort by the Cougars, Averett again quickly responded with another touchdown. Wright found junior receiver
Isaiah Grice for a 68-yard touchdown at the 13:05 mark of the second quarter to give the Cougars a 21-9 lead. Tapscott added a 3-yard touchdown run in the final minute of the quarter to send Averett into the locker room with a 28-9 lead at halftime.
Ferrum added its fourth field goal late in the third quarter to get within 28-12. However, Averett added Wright's second rushing touchdown of the game — a 1-yard run on fourth-and-goal — with 3:02 to play to seal the victory.
A week after Ferrum racked up nearly 600 yards of offense in its 55-7 season-opening win at Greensboro College, Averett's defense swarmed Ferrum. The Cougars sacked the Panthers five times while forcing two interceptions — both by senior linebacker
Conner Showalter. Senior
Hunter Hinson led the Cougars with eight tackles, while Showalter, senior
Romello Herbin and junior Diaunte Neufville each had seven tackles.
Grice led all receivers with a career-high 118 yards on six catches, including his long touchdown.
The Cougars' victory over Ferrum is their third in a row against their former conference rival and fourth in the last five meetings.
Averett has its bye week next weekend before opening USA South Conference play on Oct. 5 at Greensboro.
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