DANVILLE, Va. — Averett University football's fourth quarter rally fell short in a 31-24 home loss to Methodist University on Saturday night on Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
After closing the deficit to only a touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Averett (3-4, 2-3 USA South) had several opportunities to get a game-tying scoring drive late. The Cougars' possession midway through the fourth stalled and they got a stellar 57-yard punt by sophomore Mason Smith that rolled out at the Methodist 8-yard line. Averett's defense then forced the Monarchs to a three-and-out to get the ball back with 3:16 to play. With the help of a big 24-yard pass to senior Chase Nixon, Averett got down to the Methodist 27-yard line. However, the Cougars couldn't convert and turned the ball over on downs with 2:02 remaining.

Averett's defense held strong again and the Cougars' offense got one last shot after getting the ball back at the Methodist 45-yard line with 17 seconds to play. However, the second play ended in an interception, sealing the road win for Methodist (4-2, 4-1 USA South).

Methodist dominated the first half, jumping out to a 21-0 lead by early in the second quarter. Averett didn't flinch, battling back to score twice before the half. Freshman Bryce Phipps rushed in a 2-yard touchdown and junior Will Caviness hit a 36-yard field goal with 3:16 left in the second to get Averett within 21-10 at halftime.

Methodist took advantage of an Averett turnover on a fumble at the start of the third quarter and turned it into a 1-yard rushing touchdown to extend its lead to 28-10. Yet, Averett kept fighting back. Junior quarterback Bryce Jackson eventually found sophomore Nick Andrews for a 14-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone to help get the Cougars within 28-17 with 5:04 left in the third.

Methodist added an 18-yard field goal early in the fourth to make it 31-17 before Averett pulled back within one score on Jackson's 15-yard touchdown pass to Nixon with 11:01 to play to help set up the comeback attempt for the Cougars that ultimately came up short.

Nixon finished with eight catches for 131 yards and a score as Jackson threw for 318 yards to set the single-season passing yards mark in the process. Through seven games, Jackson has thrown for 2,302 yards which broke the old mark of 2,047.

Senior linebacker Conner Showalter poured in a career-high 17 tackles for his second consecutive double-digit tackle game and junior Jamal Ash picked off a pair of passes to highlight the defensive effort. Senior defensive end Tristin Quick also added two sacks for the Cougars. Seniors Adrian Earle and JaVon Lofton, as well as junior Johnathan Terrell, each added eight tackles.

Averett travels to Southern Virginia University on Saturday, Oct. 30, for another conference showdown.