MARYVILLE, Tenn. — Averett University football's comeback attempt fell short in the final minute as Maryville College held on 27-24 on Friday afternoon.

Averett (1-3) pulled within a field goal late as sophomore quarterback Bryce Jackson found junior receiver Jarrod Mosby for a 15-yard touchdown with 1:56 remaining. The Cougars' defense responded by forcing Maryville (2-2) to go three-and-out on its ensuing possession while also preserving time on the clock by using its three timeouts. Averett got the ball back with 1:28 to play.

The Cougars' offense worked the ball downfield, crossing midfield. Facing fourth-and-2, Averett's pass was deflected and intercepted by the Scots, sealing their victory.

Maryville opened the game with a 71-yard touchdown pass on a screen play on the first play from scrimmage to go up 7-0 early. The Scots added a 20-yard field goal on their second drive to extend their lead to 10-0 with 8:06 remaining in the first quarter.

Averett scored its lone points of the first half on a 26-yard field goal by sophomore Will Caviness with 8:26 to go in the second quarter.

Down 10-3 at the half, Averett tied the game on its first possession of the second half as the Cougars drove 69 yards on 10 plays as Jackson capped the drive with a 12-yard touchdown pass to senior Isaiah Grice to tie the game, 10-10.

Maryville, however, answered with a long drive of its own before the Averett defense forced the Scots settle for a 29-yard field goal to go back in front 13-10. An Averett turnover on the second play of its ensuing possession helped Maryville put together another scoring drive that culminated in a 28-yard touchdown pass to increase the Scots' lead to 20-10 with 1:18 left in the third quarter.

The Scots added their final touchdown on their next possession, which spanned the third and fourth quarter. Maryville's Trevor Thomas hit Jacob Cortez for an 8-yard score with 13:11 remaining.

Trailing 27-10, Averett mounted a strong comeback attempt. Jackson found junior receiver Chase Nixon for a 12-yard touchdown to get the Cougars within 10 points with 9:15 remaining. The Averett defense held strong, getting the ball back to the offense to set up Mosby's late touchdown and keep the Cougars within striking distance.

Jackson threw for a career-high 331 yards and matched his previous career-high of three touchdowns. Nixon was his favorite target, catching 11 balls for 125 yards and a touchdown. Grice also eclipsed the century mark, catching eight passes for 102 yards and a score. Mosby finished with nine catches for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Averett's offense outgained Maryville in yardage 411-377 and held a slight edge in time of possession, but the Cougars threw a pair of interceptions and lost two fumbles.

The Cougars' defense, depleted by injuries among its regular starting lineup, was led by senior defensive tackle JaVon Lofton's eight total tackles. Sophomore defensive tackle Johnathan Terrell added six tackles. Senior defensive end Hunter Crews had a sack, senior cornerback Terrell England had an interception and two breakups and sophomore defensive end Jahlin Russell recovered a fumble.

The game is likely the last of the spring for Averett, which has no other games currently scheduled.