DANVILLE, Va. — There were already postgame fireworks planned, but Averett University's football team added its own take on a grand finale its home opener.
 
Averett senior cornerback Terrell England picked off a pass in overtime and slid to the ground in celebration to seal the Cougars' 30-27 home win over non-conference foe Christopher Newport University on Saturday in front of a packed Daly Field at Frank R. Campbell Stadium.
 
Tied 27-27 at the end of regulation, Averett (1-1) had first possession in overtime. The Cougars' drive was halted, but junior kicker Will Caviness connected on a 37-yard field goal to put Averett in front 30-27.

Still, the Cougars had to hold CNU (1-1) from scoring a touchdown to win or at least force a second overtime. On the first play from scrimmage for the Captains, they called a double-reverse pass by wide receiver Xander Jedlick, who fired into double coverage on the right side of the field. England was there to make the easy pick — the seventh of his career — and he returned it 10 yards before sliding to end the play and send the Averett sideline and crowd of 2,000 into a roar.

The big stop in overtime capped off a thrilling game between the two former conference rivals.

Junior quarterback Bryce Jackson threw for a new school single-game record 397 yards — his third consecutive 300-yard passing performance dating back to last season. He completed 31-of-52 passes for three touchdowns as Averett gave head coach Patrick Henry his first career home win.

CNU opened the game with a touchdown on its first drive as the Captains marched down the field 72 yards in eight plays for a touchdown on quarterback Matt Dzierski's 10-yard run. Yet, Averett answered right back as Jackson led the Cougars 84 yards over 10 plays, culminating in his first touchdown pass of the day — a 24-yard toss to senior receiver Jarrod Mosby — to tie the game, 7-7.

Averett took a 14-7 lead with 5:59 left in the second quarter when Jackson found senior receiver Chase Nixon across the middle for a 6-yard touchdown. The Cougars added a career-long 46-yard field goal from Caviness as time expired to put Averett ahead 17-7 entering halftime.

CNU picked off Averett's first play from scrimmage of the second half, which eventually led to a 2-yard touchdown run by Dzierski to get the Captains within 17-14. Averett responded with another touchdown thanks to a big play. Jackson found sophomore receiver Nick Andrews, who weaved 56 yards for a touchdown to extend the Cougars' lead back to 24-14 with 9:03 left in the third.

Andrews finished with five catches for a career-high 126 yards and a touchdown.

CNU countered with a 40-yard touchdown pass of its own less than three minutes later to get back within a field goal, 24-21. The Captains eventually tied it, 24-24, on Ryan Castle's 46-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Castle added a second field goal with 7:01 to play to put CNU in front 27-24.

Averett answered by driving 61 yards over six plays before the offense stalled on the CNU 9-yard line. Caviness nailed a 26-yard field goal to tie the game 27-27 with 5:14 to play in the fourth.

The drama didn't there. After Averett's defense forced CNU to go three-and-out on its ensuing drive, the Cougars' offense worked its way down into the Captains' red zone. On third-and-goal, CNU picked off an Averett pass at the 1-yard line and nearly returned it deep into Cougar territory before the play was called back for an illegal block. Still, the mishap nearly cost the Cougars. CNU drove to the Averett 29-yard line, but seniors Conner Showalter and JaVon Lofton tackled Dzierski inbounds in the final seconds. With no timeouts remaining, the clock expired before CNU could get off one final play — either on offense or a field goal try — in regulation.

Showalter finished with a team-high 13 tackles, had a shared sack and a fumble recovery. Senior Tristin Quick had nine tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and a forced fumble to highlight an Averett defense that had three total sacks and five quarterback hurries.

In addition to Andrews' big night, senior Isaiah Grice caught 10 passes for 91 yards, Nixon had seven receptions for 88 yards and Mosby made six catches for 55 yards. Nixon also had 124 yards on kick returns.

Jackson's 397 passing yards topped the old mark of 388 yards set in 2016.

Following the game, the crowd watched the fireworks show by Master Displays Limited to cap off the exciting victory.

Averett travels to Greensboro College to open USA South Conference play on Sept. 18.