MONTGOMERY, Ala. — Averett University football lost 30-25 to Huntingdon College in a key USA South Conference matchup Saturday. The Cougars rallied to take the lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Hawks scored midway through the period and held off one last Averett attack in the final minutes.
 
Averett (3-3, 2-2 USA South) was forced to play catch-up in the second half after trailing 10-7 at halftime. Huntingdon increased its lead to 17-7 with a rushing touchdown with 5:02 left in the third quarter. However, Averett responded almost immediately following a 45-yard kick return by senior Chase Nixon, which helped set up junior Bryce Jackson's 33-yard touchdown pass to senior Jarrod Mosby moments later, which helped trim the Cougars' deficit to 17-13.

Huntingdon had an answer as well, as Landon Cotney finished off a 79-yard drive with a 37-yard touchdown run to push the Hawks' lead to 24-13 entering the fourth quarter.

The Cougars kept fighting as freshman Bryce Phipps rushed for a 3-yard touchdown with 12:17 left in the fourth quarter to get Averett back within 24-19. Averett's defense provided a boost as well when junior Namari Borders picked off a Cotney pass on Huntingdon's ensuing possession. Freshman running back Shawn Watlington took the first play from scrimmage 82 yards for an Averett touchdown, which pushed the Cougars in front 25-24 with 10:27 to play.

Cotney continued to be a thorn in Averett's side, leading a 10-play, 77-yard scoring drive on the Hawks' next possession, which culminated in a 6-yard touchdown run by Cotney to help Huntingdon retake the lead, 30-25.

Averett had one last drive to try to get back in front, but the drive stalled just past midfield as the Cougars turned it over on downs. Huntingdon then picked up two first downs to help run out the clock for the win on its Homecoming.

The Hawks led 3-0 after a 34-yard field goal in the first quarter. Averett took a 7-3 lead on Jackson's 11-yard touchdown to senior Isaiah Grice early in the second quarter. Yet, the Hawks added a touchdown just before the half to take a three-point lead into the break.

Averett had other early scoring opportunities but missed three long field goals in the first half on a windy day at Samford Stadium.

Mosby had another bid day receiving, making six catches for 170 yards and a touchdown. Grice, meanwhile, had 44 yards receiving to push him over the 1,000-yard milestone for his career — joining Mosby and Nixon in that category. Watlington also finished with 100 yards on the ground. Jackson ended up with 259 yards passing, ending his streak at six consecutive games with 300 yards through the air.

Senior linebacker Conner Showalter had 15 total tackles for Averett's defense, which also got seven tackles each from seniors Nicholas Mintz and Tristin Quick. Borders and senior Terrell England each had an interception.

Averett returns home to play Methodist University on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m.