FERRUM, Va. — Averett University football's comeback attempt ran out of time in a 31-24 loss to non-conference rival Ferrum College on Saturday evening.

Averett (0-1) scored two touchdowns in the final nine minutes but couldn't overcome its early deficit as the Cougars' three-game win streak over Ferrum (1-0) came to an end.

The Cougars found themselves down 31-10 in the fourth quarter but kept battling. The Cougars responded with scoring drive by going 75 yards in a little more than three minutes. Junior quarterback Bryce Jackson found senior receiver Isaiah Grice in the left side of the end zone for a 17-yard score to pull Averett back within 31-17 with 8:36 to play.
 
After stopping Ferrum's next drive, Averett scored again as Jackson found sophomore receiver Nick Andrews for a 6-yard touchdown pass in traffic across the middle to close the deficit to a touchdown with 1:05 to play. Yet, Ferrum recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt to seal the win.
 
Down 14-0 early in the second quarter, Averett found its offense with an eight-play, 52-yard scoring drive that culminated in an 8-year touchdown run by freshman running back Shawn Watlington from 8 yards out, cutting the deficit in half. The Cougars then added a career-long 38-yard field goal by junior Will Caviness midway through the quarter, pulling Averett within 14-10 of Ferrum. The Panthers had another scoring opportunity late in the half, but the Averett defense came up with a big stop on fourth down to help the Cougars go into the locker room only trailing by four.
 
Ferrum opened the second half with another scoring drive thanks to an 18-yard touchdown pass. Averett looked poised to answer following a 42-yard kickoff return by senior Chase Nixon that got the Cougars back to midfield. However, the Averett drive ended when the Cougars' pass was intercepted and returned 90 yards for a touchdown by Ferrum defensive lineman Devin Hansen with 7:54 left in the third quarter. It proved to be the biggest turning point in the game.

Ferrum added a 31-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to extend its lead to 31-10 before Averett tried to rally late on the road.

Jackson threw for 322 yards — his second consecutive 300-yard passing game dating back to the final game of the spring 2021 season. Senior Jarrod Mosby hauled in seven catches for 90 yards. Grice finished with six receptions for 64 yards and a score, while Nixon had six catches for 54 yards.

The Cougars' defense was led by senior JaVon Lofton's eight solo tackles. Seniors Conner Showalter and Tristin Quick each had six tackles, while senior Xavier Aguilar had a fumble recovery.

Averett returns home to host non-conference foe Christopher Newport University on Saturday, Sept. 11. The game will feature fireworks as Averett honors its hometown heroes by offering free admission to the game for all fire, EMT and police, as well as doctors and nurses.